Kapit to hold month-long Gawai Bazaar 2.0
They can sell anything under the sun except for illegal goods and food items that contravene the various laws.
KAPIT: Following the success of its fi rst Gawai Bazaar, Kapit will host the second, aptly dubbed Gawai Bazaar 2.0, here from April 28 until May 28 at the old airport along Jalan Airport.
The organising committee meeting recently at the conference room of the State Office Complex at Jalan Bleteh was chaired by Kapit District Officer Elvis Didit and attended by Dayak community leaders as well as representatives from various government agencies and non- governmental organisations.
According to Elvis, the concept for the Gawai Bazaar is similar to that of a Ramadan Bazaar which amongst others, was to provide an opportunity for Dayak entrepreneurs in the district to carry out business activities throughout the month-long period.
Elvis Didit, Kapit District Officer
“They can sell anything under the sun except for illegal goods and food items that contravene the various laws. They are allowed to sell food and drinks (including alcoholic drinks), merchandise, handicrafts or even automobiles. The bazaar is open to all Dayak entrepreneurs and traders here including those from outstation.
“However, they (traders) must carry out their business throughout the period. This year, the Gawai Bazaar ended early to allow the traders to go back home to celebrate Gawai at their respective longhouses,” Elvis said.
“We have been very successful in our fi rst programme and this year we are expecting more participants from the Dayak business community, include the Muslim Dayaks as we also cater for halal stalls.
“For such purposes, the organising committee provides the venue and we have liaised with a vendor, Top Event, to provide tents or canopies including tables and chairs for the traders whereby each tent measuring 20 feet by 20 feet will cost RM600. The tent could be rented on a sharing basis or individually. The committee has proposed to set up more tents, based on a sharing basis of two traders per tent,” he added.
Application forms for the Gawai Bazaar may be obtained from organising committee members from March 1. April 3 has been fi xed as the closing date for form submission and the casting of lots.
Elvis disclosed that the bazaar’s opening ceremony on April 29 at Fort Sylvia will include a ‘miring’ ceremony with Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Masing expected to officiate at the function.
“We want this year’s event to be better and hence, we are planning to organise a parade that will see political and community leaders and the local community in the traditional Iban costume of ‘Baju Burung’ while the Dayak women will be clad in their own traditional costumes. We are inviting Kelab Gagung Sibu Sarawak ( KGS) members to be with us to lead the procession that will begin from Fort Sylvia to the proposed venue at the old airport through Kapit town,” he explained.
He added that various activities will be slotted to spread more cheer throughout the month-long event including performances by Dayak artistes, lucky draws, Kapit Idol competition, Jamilah contest, cultural performances and a beauty contest for mothers.
The committee has also fixed May 27 as the closing of the bazaar.
“However, we will still allow them to trade until May 28,” Elvis said.