DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH
THE largest ethnic group in Sarawak is celebrating its annual harvest festival, officially designated as Gawai Dayak Day. The Dayak are known for their bravery and loyalty.
Like other ethnic groups, they have made significant contributions to the peace, security and prosperity of Sarawak, particularly and the country, generally, since the Brooke period.
In cities, towns and villages, the ethnic Dayak, like other major ethnic groups such as Malay, Chinese and Indian, have been running shops, shopping malls, supermarkets and eateries, as well as clinics and hospitals.
The list goes on.
The Sarawak Rangers, Border Scouts and Iban Trackers hold a special place in the history of this country for the role they played in maintaining law and order during the Brooke period, the British colonial administration, the Malayan Emergency, the Confrontation and the unrest in the late 1960s.
We must always remember, with gratitude, the part they played, together with the police and armed forces, in making the country safe for all of us.
Steeped in centuries-old culture with its own symbolic routines and ceremonies, the harvest festival is the most important day for celebration in the calendar of the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and other smaller ethnic groups.
Gawai Dayak has been recognised as a public holiday since 1965, and all are welcome to join in the celebrations. The festival celebrates Sarawak’s rich culture, and the unity and strong bond of the community.
Order and routine govern the celebrations.
The Dayak prepare for the special day by cleaning and repairing their longhouses, cooking a feast, offering miring (a ritual offering to ancestors, gods and spirits), then enjoying makai di ruai (festival meal) and other forms of celebrations.
A gong was struck at midnight on June 1, and the tuai rumah called on everyone to toast to longevity and the new year.
The festival began with greetings and forgiveness, a great way to start the new year. Guests were offered the well-known drink, tuak, speeches were made and Dayak delicacies were served.
Gawai Dayak Day lasts about 30 days, and has much in common with other major festivals in the country such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and the Sabah Harvest Festival.
Our diversity is our strength. We must never allow anything to detract us from it.
That is the task for all of us, without exception.
All ethnic groups in the country must unite to build a truly multiethnic, multireligious, multilingual and multicultural country, where we can live in peace and harmony.
Let’s build a country that we can all be justly proud of.
Selamat Gawai Dayak!