A toast for the Gawai Dayak celebration.
KAPIT: Gawai Dayak is an occasion for all Dayaks, irrespective of political affiliation, religion and cultural background to celebrate together.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing said he was particularly impressed by the annual Pre-Gawai celebration organised in rotation by Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU), Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) and Orang Ulu National Association (Ouna).
This year, the Pre-Dayak Gala Dinner organised by SDNU Kapit was held on Saturday at Kapit Civic Centre.
“I am very pleased with this Pre-Gawai celebration. You might be from different political parties, religions and cultural background but when it comes to Gawai, you come together. You never run away from the responsibility of getting the Dayaks together at least once a year,” Masing said in his address as the guest of honour at the dinner which was attended by some 800 guests.
Meanwhile, patron of the Gawai, Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is Kapit MP, said the Gawai celebration is for everyone.
“It is important to celebrate it in the true spirit of Gawai. In Kapit, we always practise this tradition. What is always inspiring is every year SDNU, DBNA and OUNA work together to organise this event.
“It is always better than previous years as I have noticed. It is extremely joyful to be part of the celebration here. That is why we the ‘wakil rakyat’ always make it a point to be present,” said Nanta.
Also speaking was Hulu MP Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, who said the festival should be celebrated in a peaceful manner.
Organising chairman Joseph Jinggut, who is the chairman of SDNU Kapit, thanked all those attending the dinner for their support.
He thanked GPS state government for allocating RM1 million to SDNU for site levelling and improving the landscape of the Memorial Park along Jalan Antaroh, Sut.
During the night, SDNU Kapit honoured the achievements of a Dayak family – Bejau Guyang and her husband Sylvester Umar Inggie – and Dr Layang Ugek.
All the four children of Bejau and Umar are successful in their lives – Lawrence is a drilling engineer, Josephine is a data scientist, Marilyn is a doctor while Christine is a computer engineer.
Layang obtained her Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) from Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Others who attended the dinner were Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang, Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat, political secretaries to the chief minister Maurice Giri, Tapah Ata and Nicholas Kudi Jantai, Kapit Resident Joseph Belayong, deputy Kapit Resident Galong Luang, Bukit Mabong district officer Douglas Pungga and Walikota Dato Philimon Nuing.
The highlight of the evening was the ‘Pekit Kumang Gawai 2019’ participated by 10 contestants.