Bidayuh lady preserves cultural legacy through handcrafted Kuih Jala
KUCHING: Joana Clement, a 30-year-old Bidayuh residing in the city, is determined to uphold the time-honoured practice of making Kuih Jala, a cherished delicacy passed down to her by her mother. Kuih Jala, a sweet and crunchy traditional treat, holds immense cultural significance and is traditionally prepared and served during the festive season of Gawai […]
Vibrant Gawai Dayak do at Saratok longhouse
THIS year is the 59th year Dayaks in Sarawak are celebrating Gawai Dayak since the first one in 1964. Prior to 1964, tribal groups known as Dayaks that included Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu (Kelabit, Kayan, Kenyah and many more) never celebrated Gawai Dayak. But that all changed after the declaration of the first festive Gawai […]
MagnumCares continues tradition of Gawai support
KUCHING: MagnumCares, in its recent outreach initiative, has extended the support to Dayak communities in Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, and Sibu as part of the Gawai celebration. According to the press statement, MagnumCares remains committed to providing food necessities to 423 families from seven Dayak communities. Additionally, it will contribute donations to 13 charitable homes located […]
Celebrating Gawai Dayak: Bob Yusof to release first Iban song on May 24
KUCHING: This year’s Gawai Dayak celebration will have a musical twist with talented Sarawakian artist Bob Yusof unveiling his debut Iban single on May 24. The eagerly anticipated release will be commemorated with a special event, open to the public, at Kafe Parimpan, here beginning at 3 pm. Bob, a star in the local music […]
SADIA to host pre-Gawai dinner on May 27
SIBU: Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA) will organise the Pre-Gawai Dinner 2023 on May 27. Some 1,000 guests are expected to attend the event, which will be held at the Islamic Complex Hall, Jalan Awang Ramli Amit. Its organising chairman Munan Laja said the theme for the dinner is “Sustainability of the Iban Community in […]
NGO groups hope Gawai and Kaamatan declared national public holidays
KUCHING: A group of Dayak NGOs is urging on the federal government to declare Gawai and Kaamatan as public holidays across the country. The leaders of the NGOs, namely Wellie Henry Majang (DTTAS), Paul Raja (DNC), Samuel Suring (PAIS), Michael M Jok (SCRIPS), Rafael Dru (SADIA Miri), Wilfred Nissem (Persatuan Terabai Menua), Robert Umping (PERASA) […]
Miring goes on despite modernization
KUCHING: Although the world is modern, the practices, customs, beliefs and culture of our ancestors continue to be preserved and practised, especially among the Iban. Among the items that continue to be practised until now is the ‘miring’, a ceremony to honour ‘petara’ (spirits and spirits of ancestors). Typically, it is held during the Gawai […]
One remarkable blowpipe excursion
I knew that looking back on the tears would make me laugh but I never knew that looking back on the laughs would bring tears. – graciousquotes.com Since my young days, I have been enjoying jungle trips using blowpipes – my brother Jon and I were lucky to have one each. Though the trips were […]
Was Gawai dinner dance a desecration or celebration?
KUCHING: A video on a stirring dance performance at a Gawai dinner event which went viral recently has become a subject of much debate on social media. While many Dayak netizens thought it was just rousing fun during a celebratory mode, many others took offence, arguing that it transgressed cultural norms. Dayak National Congress (DNC) […]
Open house shows our unity in diversity
KUCHING: Despite their ideological differences, Sarawak’s elected representatives came together to celebrate the Gawai Dayak open house. This was evident today when state Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong attended the Gawai Dayak open house hosted by Dayak leaders from the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) at the […]
