KUCHING: The period leading to Christmas Day and ending on Dec 31 is perhaps the busiest for the Christians in Quop, especially those who may have sent invitations to friends and colleagues to come for the open house gatherings.
The mad rush in getting all things ready can be really stressful for some, but such anxiety is really a part and parcel of the occasion.
Christianity has been in Quop – located about 20km from the state capital – for more than 150 years and the faith is embraced by the majority of the folk here.
However come Christmas, everybody – even the non-Christians and friends made through social networking – will gather and celebrate with one another.
Christmas has always been very special to the people of Quop and nothing is spared in highlighting the occasion every year.
Some functions are held early, like the pre-Christmas ‘Bisamah’ hosted by Samarahan Quop branch of Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) and Sarawak Federation of Women’s Institute (SFWA) Quop.
In addition, there are also activities by members of various church ministries.
With three days to Christmas Day, most neighbourhoods would have seen, or soon to be having, visits by caroling groups. On this, St James Church itself has 12 groups – each comprising 20 young carolers – assigned to cover about a dozen of households in Rabak Tambi.
The area used to be a camp housing many foreign workers brought in by the White Rajah to construct a road because of a ‘gambier’ plantation nearby.
Historically, the original Quop longhouse was built on a very steep hillock named Tibung Tibawang – just behind the present-day settlement. However the ‘Great Cholera’ outbreak in 1856 had forced its people to move down, build a new longhouse on a ridge and name the place Batang Sambu.
Quop is quite famous to this day for its musical and singing traditions, thanks to the initiative of Rev William Abe in 1856.
In the spirit of Christmas, all members of the 12 caroling groups hope that the collection would be more this year as more funds are needed to cover many of St James Church’s activities.