Gawai Nyebang — unique tradition of border village folks
By Robert Kenneth KUCHING: Residents of Kampung Gumbang, a border village near Serikin, about 50km southwest from here, had a unique way to celebrate Gawai which this year had been hampered again by the Covid-19 pandemic. Calling themselves Bigumbang Bidayuh, they are the only community that celebrates Gawai Nyebang or a traditional celebration after the […]
Cops stop rooster fight; two women among 5 held
JULAU: A cockfighting session on the first day of Gawai Dayak celebration here came to a premature end after five locals, including two women, engrossed in the prohibited activity were rounded by police. The culprits were caught in an open area near Darau, Pakan. District police chief Deputy Supt Andam Sulin Brayun said a team from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and several members of relevant departments raided the spot at around 3.30pm yesterday (June 1). The suspects were aged between 34 and 69 years. Andam said four live cockerels, three dead ones, a scale, a box riddled with written numbers and a canvas were seized “All the suspects were compounded under Regulation 17 (1) of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within Infected Local Areas) (No.2) 2021,” he said today (June 2). He said the suspects are being investigated under Section 3 (1) of the Animal Cruelty Ordinance 1963.
King, Queen convey Gawai greetings
KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah conveyed Gawai Day greetings to all who celebrate it in Sarawak. According to a statement posted on the Istana Negara Facebook account, Their Majesties also expressed hope that the Gawai Festival would continue to […]
Johor Dayaks celebrate Gawai with families via video calls
JOHOR BAHRU: Despite being far away from their loved ones, the Dayak community in Pasir Gudang, here, strives to practise their customs and culture by celebrating the Gawai via video calls, following the total lockdown that begins today (June 1). For Hazlena Abdullah, 44, this is her second year of not returning to her village, […]
703 Covid-19 cases on Gawai Day
KUCHING: Sarawak recorded 703 Covid-19 positive cases on Gawai Day (June 1), bringing the total number of positive cases in the state to 48,032. Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) said a total of 458 or 65.15 percent of the total cases detected were in Kuching, Bintulu and Miri districts. Kuching district recorded the highest number […]
Virtual Gawai Dayak Greeting
Noorhayati Abdullah @ Jancy Jokin (left), and her daughter Sarema Putri Ismail, make a video call at their residence in Kuching, wishing their Bidayuh relatives in Kampung Stass, Bau a happy Gawai. Noorhayati, who owns Sri Putri Bridal and Dressmaking atelier, converted to Islam long ago but she never fails to celebrate the harvest festival […]
Another quiet Gawai for Maria
KUCHING: The Ibans at Kampung Tabuan Dayak here and those nearby used to gather for the ‘tiang pengingat’ (memorial pole) ritual on Gawai Dayak Eve. But since many of them have embraced Christianity, they no longer practise the ritual. But the memorial pole still stands tall today. It is located at Lorong 16 in the […]
Abang Openg instrumental in official recognition of Gawai Dayak
TUN Datuk Abang Openg Abang Sapiee was known for his spirit of goodwill, unity and cooperation with all ethnic groups notably the Dayak. This trait had been ingrained in him since he became a Native Officer, a District Officer and eventually Sarawak’s first post-independence Governor for six years until his death on March 28, 1969. […]
Fighting pandemic more important than celebrating
KUCHING: Those celebrating Gawai Dayak need to think less of having a fun time and more about doing their bit to fight the pandemic by following the guidelines set by the state government. “We seek the cooperation of all people to comply with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the movement control order (MCO) in […]
Petronas spreads pre-Gawai cheer
KAPIT: Yayasan Petronas, the corporate social responsibility arm of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), is contributing food essentials to some 300 underprivileged families here in conjunction with the upcoming Gawai Dayak. These food essentials include glutinous rice, white rice, cooking oil, sugar, salt, eggs, flour, condensed milk, sardines, cream crackers, and festive cookies. Yayasan Petronas has […]
