Gawai Madu Buling – Great Mourning Festival
I think one of the coolest things you can do is disappear for a while, because it gives you the chance to re-emerge. To sort of pounce out of the jungle. – Josh Homme, songwriter Some journalists, myself included, have been mollycoddled once too often because we think we are a special breed. After years […]
Mixed feelings of joy, sadness
When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile. – Stephenie Meyer, American novelist There was joy during last Gawai, especially after a two-year hiatus. And sadness too – my relatives in Munggu Embawang, Saratok, my late dad’s birthplace, were still mourning the demise of […]
Unexpected Gawai visit from my friend
‘Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory’ – Dr. Seuss, American author. How often do you go on a family vacation? Once or twice a year or never? I often go on a family vacation with my sisters, nephews and nieces. My last family vacation was with […]
‘Ngabang’ proof of multiracial harmony
KALAKA: The practice of ngabang (goodwill visit) during festive season is a solid proof of the multiracial harmony and rapport within the multiracial community in the state, said Mohamad Duri. The Kalaka assemblyman said this when attending the Gawai Dayak celebration at the Lenggain longhouse, here. His presence at the longhouse was a proof of […]
When Gawai Dayak is out of reach
KUCHING: Celebrating Gawai Dayak is once again permitted after two miserable years of enduring the COVID-19 pandemic, but not all Dayaks can enjoy the festivities at home in Sarawak. These Dayaks are outside the country for various reasons — working, studying or travelling. Some are economic immigrants while others are married to foreigners and have […]
It’s ‘pulai Gawai’ rush again
Hari Gawai Dayak must be preserved as an occasion to meet, exchange visits, interact and understand each other’s customs and traditions so that a celebration, which has been given a public holiday, can help to strengthen the unity of all communities not only in Sarawak but in Kuala Lumpur and Johore too. – Tun Pehin […]
Uggah’s Open House on June 1
KUCHING: Members of the public are invited to the Deputy Premier’s Gawai Dayak Open House on June 1. The open house, hosted by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Dayak leaders in Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), will be held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from 10 am to 3 pm. […]
Dayaks told to take a moment to reflect
KUCHING: Gawai Dayak is not just an occasion for merriment but a day of telling and reminding themselves of their identity in a fast-growing world of globalisation, competition and full of challenges. In stating this, Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) chairman Datuk Peter Minos said Gawai is part of keeping alive and intact the Dayak […]
Modern Dayaks urged to celebrate Gawai the old way
By Gabriel Lihan KUCHING: Sidi Munan, president of Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA), has suggested that Dayaks in the cities and towns go back to the old ways of celebrating the Gawai Dayak festival. “Observe the ‘miring’ as a tradition not as a religious ritual and organise community dinners like we used to do,” he […]
Sarawak Energy prepares to keep Gawai lights on
KUCHING: Sarawak Energy’s contingency plans and teams are ready for quick deployment to keep the lights on or facilitate quick restoration of electricity during the the upcoming Gawai Dayak celebrations. Sufficient manpower have been assigned to technical teams who will be on 24-hour standby. “Customers can also play a role in keeping families and communities […]
