Bridging cultures by sharing joy, fostering unity
MY brother, Edward Jelani, is an 82-year-old retired SESCO pensioner. Last Thursday, he left Kuching in his friend’s elegant car. His friend, a Muslim policeman, drove them both. They spent three days in the city, and I joined them for sungkei, a meal to break the Muslim fast, on two occasions. We truly enjoyed the […]
‘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 […]
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 […]
Dayaks will miss ‘ngabang’ for a good cause
By Robert Kenneth KUCHING: Gawai Dayak in Sarawak is often associated with activities such as beauty pageants and ‘ngabang’ (Gawai open house visits). And although this is the second year in a row that the Dayak community has to skip such festive gatherings, they accept that it is a sacrifice everyone has to make in […]
Avoid Gawai visits to prevent virus spread
SIBU: Assistant Minister of Local Government and Housing Dr Annuar Rapaee has voiced concern over a possible rise in the number of Covid-19 cases resulting from Gawai visiting, or ngabang without compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs). He was alluding to the 149 positive cases recorded in Kuching District last Saturday where more than […]
What is Xmas without ‘ngabang’?
KUCHING: Christmas this year is not the same as in past years because the spirit of ngabang (Iban for visiting one another during festive seasons) is missing due to the coronavirus pandemic. Ngabang has been the hallmark of Sarawak tradition and without it, no festive occasion is complete. Universiti Malaysia Sarawak lecturer Claudia Jiton said […]
Muted but meaningful Gawai for villagers
KUCHING: Gawai Dayak for the Bidayuh Biya community of Kampung Sapit in Ulu Padawan was no less meaningful despite the restriction on ‘ngabang’ (house-to-house visits by celebrators) due to the conditional movement control order (CMCO). This year’s celebration was toned down with small gatherings where social distancing was practised while the whole country is still […]
Unprecedented Gawai Dayak do this year
The Gawai Dayak celebration is here again but we will not be able to celebrate it in the way we are familiar with. It will be a different, in fact subdued and cautious celebration this time. – Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Chief Minister None of the pioneers of Gawai Dayak such as Datuk […]
No ngabang, no Gawai cluster
KUCHING: Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik has urged the people to follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) for Gawai Dayak celebration set by Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC). “SDMC has given a directive for Gawai to be celebrated for only one day, meaning only on June 1. It shall be […]
‘Ngabang’ towards enhancing unity
The essence of the beautiful is unity in variety. ― W. Somerset Maugham, English playwright and novelist The popular word ngabang (Iban for goodwill visit to festivals and open houses of religious and cultural celebrations) is on the lips of everyone during this time of the festive Chinese New Year (CNY). Ngabang is meant to […]
