THANK YOU: Lalang (fifth right, standing first row) poses with members of the RPR Women Organisation and others involved in organising the gathering.
MIRI: Traditionally, Gawai Dayak is held to celebrate a bountiful harvest and to mark the start of a new padi planting season.
It is a yearly festival celebrated by the Dayak community of Sarawak.
Although traditionally observed after the end of the padi farming cycle, it is now officially celebrated on June 1 every year.
The Dayaks celebrate many festivals, but the Gawai is deemed the most significant.
Besides the merry-making activities, rituals and prayers are also performed to thank the ‘gods’ for the blessings they have received and to ask for more blessings and good fortune for the coming year.
PACKED: A section of the young guests at the gathering.
Among the sights and sounds usually associated with Gawai Dayak are ‘ngajat’ (Iban traditional warrior dance), ‘Kumang’ (Heroine) and ‘Keling’ (Hero) pageants, ‘`tuak’ (rice wine) drinking and the serving of ‘sarang semut’ (Iban delicacy) which is a necessity during the festival.
“And of course, to reinforce kinship and friendship,” explained Nicholas Lalang, an aide to Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin to The Borneo Post during a Gawai celebration cum open house at his residence at Bandar Baru Permyjaya recently.
Gawai Dayak is also the time of the year when many Dayaks living in towns and cities try to go home to their respective villages and longhouses to partake in the festival with their families, friends and relatives.
“As for those who cannot make it to their traditional homes, they can always celebrate the occasion in town like we are doing now.
“Either in small or big scale, what matters most is we preserve our tradition by celebrating it like one big family with friends and relatives,” said Lalang.
It was a grand occasion at Lalang’s residence, with over 300 friends and relatives coming from far and near to join the festive joy.
FOR THE ALBUM: Lalang and wife (third and second right) pose with Lai(left), Ting (fourth right), Chin (fifth right) and other guests.
There were ngajat, ‘joget’ and ‘poco-poco’ performances in between funs, jokes and laughter to enliven the atmosphere.
Besides that, food and delicacies prepared in Dayak traditional style, as well as ‘tuak’, soft drinks, wine and liquor were in abundance for the guests to enjoy.
When asked, Lalang said he was assisted by the ‘Gerempung Indu’ (Women’s Organisation) and the Welfare Bureau of RPR Permyjaya, of which he is the advisor.
The ‘tuai pengabang’ (head of visitors) was Chin while the ‘tuai Gawai’ (head of Gawai) was Lalang himself.
Chin’s political secretary Datuk Sebastian Ting, Miri mayor Lawrence Lai, RPR Permyjaya Welfare Bureau chairman Paul Mpadai and Gerempung Indu chairlady Cecilia Francis were also present.
Chin later cut down the ‘ranyai’ tree to officiate the event following the Gawai toast.
THREE ANGELS: (From left) Mujan Lah, Selang Singka and Rohayah Gasan.
HAPPY: The ‘tembaga’ (copper brass) band provides music to enliven the celebration.
OPEN: Chin cuts down the ‘ranyai’ tree to mark the start of the event. The ranyai tree is like a Christmas tree, adorned with decorative items, but mostly of food and packet drinks.
Phoco Dance
CONGRATULATIONS: A lucky draw winner receives her prize from Ting.