STRONG TRADITION: Dr Jamil (centre) cutting the red rope from a ‘ranyai’ to mark the opening of the Gawai Dayak celebration held at Students Centre in UiTM Sarawak yesterday. — Photo by Mohammad Rais Sanusi
KOTA SAMARAHAN: Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak is aiming to carry on promoting Gawai Dayak to strengthen ties and enhance racial harmony among the public, particularly students and staff.
UiTM Rector Prof Datuk Dr Jamil Hamali said among the programmes towards this effort is to make Gawai Dayak a strong tradition in UiTM Sarawak.
The spirit of unity and racial harmony must be maintained even among the youth to ensure national development runs smoothly, he said.
“Main festivals like Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Gawai Dayak are celebrated on campus and this shows that UiTM Sarawak is serious in defending its family spirit among staff and students regardless of race, creed and religious upbringing. Let us propel UiTM to a greater height and together we shall continue to stand for future progress of UiTM Sarawak,” he said during UiTM’s Sarawak Gawai Dayak celebration here yesterday.
Gawai Dayak is a festival to mark the end of the harvesting season and to celebrate a bountiful harvest of the year by everyone in the village or longhouse.
The theme of the celebration in UiTM Sarawak was ‘Segulai Sejalai.’ Jamil explained that the theme was apt because it was in line with their working principle and spirit of cooperation.
Among the highlights were performances by students and staff of UiTM such as choir, singing, traditional dances, ‘bergendang’ and ‘neradak ai pengayu’.
UiTM Gawai Dayak celebration was organised by the Welfare and Recreational Club for UiTM staff headed by Dr Gluma Saban who is the Tuai Gawai UiTM Sarawak yesterday.