Gawai Dayak Festival 2017 at MJC Batu Kawah, May 13 to 27

KUCHING: The Industrious Dayak Entrepreneur Association (IDEA) in collaboration with Persatuan Ngajat Asal Iban (Ngasi) will be organising a Gawai Dayak Festival 2017 at MJC Batu Kawah here from May 13 to 27.

According to a press statement, the highlight of the festival is the Ethnic Pageant, the preliminary round to be held at Riverside Shopping Complex from 2pm to 6pm on May 6.

Open to both male and female, around 60 participants will take part in six categories: ‘Dayung Sangon Bidayuh’, ‘Kumang Iban’, ‘Keligit Orang Ulu’, ‘Keling Iban’, ‘Dari Pogan Bidayuh’, and ‘Belawan Orang Ulu’.

Rehearsals of participants will be at the same shopping complex starting 2pm on May 5.

All finalists will wear their own traditional costume, depending on the category participated in.

The top five female and male finalists will proceed to the grand finals to be held at MJC Batu Kawah on May 27.

The pageant’s committee called organising on those interested to join the pageant, the criteria for entries in the female category are single Dayak ladies aged 20 to 30 while for the male category are male Dayak aged 20 and above.

Entry forms are available at Rumah Asap Dayak Samarahan, Bungai Terung Ethnic Cafe Samarahan and Smoky George’s Bar at One TJ. The closing date is Apr 30. For more information, call 0168589364 (Joefrazier) or visit the festival’s Facebook page under ‘PESTAGAWAIDAYAK’.