HEADING HOME FOR GAWAI: Passengers waiting to board an express boat at the Kapit-Baleh jetty in Kapit yesterday. Thousands of Kapit folk who work elsewhere are travelling by express boats to their respective longhouses in the division for the Gawai Dayak celebration.
KAPIT: A sense of excitement is in the air as locals await the return of their family members working elsewhere and the out-of-towners return for the Gawai Dayak celebration.
Among those waiting at the express boat terminal yesterday were security guard Langit Tangang and his wife Helen Ugoh, who were waiting for their sons and daughter.
Malkish holds up an umbrella to provide shade for his newborn as they wait for an express boat.
“Last night, my daughter who is a staff nurse at Borneo Medical Centre, Kuching, Rosline Bay telephoned us saying she is catching an early express boat to Kapit. Our sons, Pandau Langit – who is working as a welder in Bintulu, and Jimmy Langit – who just started working in Kuala Lumpur, are coming back for Gawai. We miss them and so we’re very anxious to meet them,” said Langit, whose four other children still live here.
Octogenarian Jilo Langau, 85, was waiting to return to Rumah Bawing, ulu Sungai Ga’at.
“I only return to my longhouse during the Gawai and Christmas. Other than that, I lock my bilik in the longhouse because all my children have moved to town to work,” said Jilo.
Her sister Ayun Japik Ngga, 60, was also waiting to return to her longhouse.
“My longhouse is Rumah Sugit, but now I live in town with my children and look after the grandchildren. I can’t say whether living in the longhouse or town is better. You see in town, we have a car. When we fall sick, it is easy just to drive to the hospital – it’s very fast and cheap.
“But there’s no land for planting and no money so it is very hard. No money means no food. In the longhouse, there’s plenty of land but if you fall sick it is very difficult. You have to buy fuel, travel in a longboat to town and then to the hospital. It’s costly and time consuming,” she related.
For Malkish Jau, 29, from Baram, Gawai is time to celebrate with his wife’s family at Rumah Nyuwai, Sungai Kain.
“I used to work with Imperial Hotel, Miri and I met my wife in Miri. After we married, she moved to Miri because we bought a house there. We’ve been married nine years and every Gawai, we visit Rumah Nyuwai for the celebration,” he said.
With so many like Malkish returning for Gawai Dayak, Kapit town has been abuzz with activity. Many businesspeople have extended their operating hours and express boat operators are also enjoying brisk business.
(From right) Jilo and Ayun rest on the steps of the jetty.
Those returning to their longhouses take a break at the Kapit-Baleh jetty.
Express boats are seen at the Kapit-Baleh Jetty.