‘Our Unity in Diversity is uniquely Sarawak. Unity and integrity are the main pillars to reach political stability, economic sustainability and social harmony in line with our PCDS 2023’
– Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Dear friends, the Gawai fever is here. I went to a supermarket and an Iban song was playing. Never mind, it was not a song about Gawai but a lovestruck lad entitled ‘Bekikis Bulu Betis’ by Iban singer Andrewson Ngalai.
I went to another shop and there, an Iban Gawai song about merrymaking and drinking was playing. I am not familiar with the song or the singers who did the duet song.
That’s the beauty of Sarawak. You can kind of guess what festival is round the corner from the songs that are playing in the supermarkets and shops. Yes, if it is Christmas, you will hear Christmas songs including those by American singer Jim Reeves. Never mind that he has passed on for ages.
And if it’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri, you will hear Raya songs, particularly by Malaysian singer Siti Nurhaliza.
When it comes to the Chinese New Year, you hear Chinese New Year songs by Malaysian singers and even those from Mainland China. I love the old Chinese New Year songs by Malaysian singer Long Piao Piao.
Recently, I was pleasantly surprised to hear Iban songs being played even on my favourite radio station as I drove home after work at night.
I guess if you are going home to your village or longhouse by bus these few days, you may hear Iban songs being played by the driver.
Yes, my friends, Gawai Dayak is just round the corner.
In the office, a few of my Dayak colleagues are already on leave for Gawai Dayak. Like the state of Sarawak which is populated by people of various races and ethnic groups, my office is manned by workers of various races and ethnic groups.
There is this beautiful understanding among my colleagues and I; the Ibans will take a break from work during the Gawai festival, the Malays will be away during Hari RayaAidilfitri while the Chinese will not work during the Chinese New Year.
Those of mixed parentage have to decide when to take their breaks. As for Christmas, priority is given to those who have not taken their leave during Gawai or the Chinese New Year.
By now, some schools are already closed for the Gawai holidays. This is good news for celebrants who originate from villages or longhouses far in the interior of Sarawak. Working parents will take leave to bring back their children to see their grandparents and relatives who live far from the towns or cities.
I am all for bridging the generation gaps between family members of different generations. Parents must allow their children to catch up with their grandparents and relatives especially during important festivals and public holidays. This will not only make the older folk feel loved and valued but also allows them to pass on valuable skills and experiences to the younger ones.
Parents must teach their children their family history to give the latter a sense of their place in the world. Doing so can also give young people something to live up to and a legacy to respect.
When they know their roots and their ancestors, the children can put things in perspective and connect to history better. To know where you’re going, I honestly believe you have to know where you’ve come from.
For this reason, I salute parents who bring their children back to their villages and longhouses at the slightest opportunity as well as during this Gawai.
Indeed, if I live in Sibu, I will go back to my grandmother’s village every week on my days off. I often tell my friends this because I miss the simple life there.
Oh, how nice to stroll along the stream in the village, look for jungle ferns to cook and hear the happy chirping of birds high in the trees above!
Gawai Dayak is a festival celebrated in Sarawak on June 1 every year. Although it is primarily observed by the Dayaks in the state, Sarawakians of other races join the celebration when they visit their native friends.
I am glad that from young, Sarawakians are taught to co-exist together in peace and perfect harmony. For instance, my grandson’s play school hosted a Teacher’s Day and Gawai Day celebration on Friday. The dress code was “traditional clothing.”
That morning, my grandson went to school in a Chinese traditional costume. His hardworking mother proudly prepared pudding and biscuits for him to bring to school. She also prepared Teacher’s Day gifts for the teachers.
Hats off to the play school for organising the celebration and to my daughter-in-law for taking the trouble to make sure the celebration would be special and that my grandson would treasure it for a long, long time to come.
With Gawai Dayak just three days away, let me wish you, my friends, wherever you are, ‘Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai’ in advance. Enjoy yourself and stay safe.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
