KUCHING: Approximately 1,000 people are expected to attend this year’s edition of the ‘Pesta Lunau Kayan 2017’ to be held at Imperial Hotel on 15 May.
Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Haji Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg is expected to attend the event as its guest-of-honour.
Organised by the Sarawak Kayan Women Association (PWKS), its chairlady Roselyn Lah said that the festival was the Kayan community’s own rice harvest festival.
“The word ‘lunau’ is the Kayan term for ‘harvest’ and in the context of this celebration, ‘Pesta Lunau’ refers to the padi-harvesting activity which is called ‘ngelunau’.
“It was first introduced in 2014 by the Kayan community leaders to mark a day of thanksgiving for the harvest season of the Kayan people,” she said during a press conference at Imperial Hotel here, on Tuesday.
She added that the objective of the festival was to give the Kayan community, especially the younger generation, a sense of identity and belonging in a multi-cultural society of Sarawak as well as to provide a platform for fellowship and celebration for their people.
Other objectives of the festival include promoting the thanksgiving culture for the Kayan community and to promote friendships among the members and to bring people of all races together.
“To the younger generation of the Kayan community who may be experiencing various degrees of cultural dilemma, alienation, and values disorientation in the light of rapid social change; we hope that this celebration will help them to regain their cultural consciousness.
“We also hope that they realise in time that they have much to value and be proud of in the wealth of their unique natural and cultural heritage,” she said.
Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Angeline Umih Tujok, who is also advisor to PWKS hoped that the Kayan community will show their support by attending the event.
“The Kayan community is already quite small and we would appreciate it if they could give their full support,” Angeline said, adding that other communities can also attend the event.
One of the highlights of the festival is the crowning of ‘Keligit Lunau 2017’ which will see eight Kayan maidens from all over the state competing for the crown.
Those who wish to know more or purchase tickets may contact 016 4156045 (Roselyn) or 012 8772748 (Silvia).
