KUCHING: The state-level Gawai Dinner 2019 to be held tonight (June 15) at a leading hotel here will showcase the achievements of the Dayak communities.
The event is held as one of the activities in conjunction with this year’s Gawai Dayak celebration hosted by the Bidayuh community.
The full rehearsal of the event was held yesterday and was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who is the patron of the celebration, Minister of Education, Science and Technological Research and chairman of the state-level Gawai Dayak Datuk Seri Michael Manyin; Assistant Minister of Native Land Development Datuk Roland Sagah Wee Inn who is the dinner’s chairman; and acting deputy state secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, who is the chief co-coordinator of this year’s state-level Gawai Dayak celebration.
Besides showcasing Gawai rituals, other itineraries include cultural performances, a beauty parade from the Dayung Sangon, Kumang, Keligits and Kelings and performances by popular Dayak singers.
A group of three renowned Bidayuh ring ladies from Kampung Semban will also be in attendance at the dinner.
Making a special appearance at the show will be three Sarawakian beauties, namely Miss Malaysia World 2014 Dewi Liana Seriestha who won the Miss Talent subsidiary title at the Miss World 2014 finals in London, Miss World Malaysia 2018 Larissa Ping, and second runner-up of Miss Planet International 2019 Viviana Lin Winston.
Uggah in his brief speech said he was very impressed with the level of preparation and thanked all those involved for their full commitments.
“We will show tomorrow night that Dayaks are no more staying on top of trees. We are already people with titles and qualities. Today’s performance was brilliant and I hope you will all give sterling performances tomorrow night,” he said.
Manyin said within 50 years, the Dayaks have transformed to what they are today, but added that the journey is still long and urged young Dayaks to work hard for a brighter future.
Meanwhile chairman of the sub-committee for the Dayung Sangon, Kumangs, Keligits and Kelings parade Datuk Peter Minos commended his three coordinators Datin Senorita Linang, Wendy Earnest and Bridget Bulan Taja for their hard work in preparing for the show.
“They did the briefings, trainings and numerous rehearsals with the expert choreographers.
“Without them our committee would not be functioning,” said Minos.
