Wilfred and Dr Nuing (seated, fourth and fifth left, respectively) in a group photo with members of the Miri Division Gawai Dayak 2020 committee.
MIRI: The Dayak Association Miri (DAM) will be spearheading the organisation of the division-level Gawai Dayak celebration this year.
In this regard, the Miri Division Gawai Dayak Organising Committee involves 12 Dayak ethnic non-governmental organisations (NGO), and is supported by the Miri Resident and District Office.
According to committee advisor Senator Dr Nuing Jeluing, the annual event holds the objective of uniting members of various Dayak communities in the northern region of Sarawak through culture, tradition and education.
“This event has always been a local attraction and every ethnic group always looks forward to being a part of the celebration,” he said when contacted.
Meanwhile DAM deputy president Wilfred Mac, who is also the event organising chairman, said various activities would also be held in connection with the celebration.
“The event’s highlight will be the Miri Division Gawai Dayak 2020 Dinner, set to take place at the grand ballroom of Meritz Hotel on May 25,” he said.
It is stated that Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas will be the guest-of-honour of the gala dinner.
“We call upon the public and the whole of Miri community to come forward and support all the activities to be run in connection with the Gawai Dayak celebration,” added Wilfred.
The event will hold, among other activities, the presentation of Dayak Students Education Excellence Awards; the beauty pageants of respective Dayak communities namely ‘Kumang lban’, ‘Dayung Sangon’ (Bidayuh), ‘Keligit Orang Ulu’, and the ‘Keling-Belawan’; a blood donation drive; Dayak songs karaoke competition; a children’s colouring contest; and also a series of community service and outreach programmes for the needy folk.
Tickets will be on sale in about two weeks from now.
For more details, contact the committee secretariat at Rumah Dayak by calling 085-435 467.