Reflect on achievements, plan for future this Gawai – Jusit
KUCHING: Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association ( SDGA) president Dr Jusit Jaul called on all Dayaks not only to make the best use of the Gawai Festival as an occasion to reflect on the community’s achievements but also to plan for future endeavours.
He said the community should make Gawai Dayak a time of reflection to evaluate what had happened over the past one year.
“Do make the best use of this celebration as an occasion to reflect not only upon past achievements, but also to plan for our future endeavours.”
“We did make mistakes and encountered failures at times. In the face of weaknesses and shortcomings that we encountered in the past one year, let us all meditate on them and think of means to overcome our weaknesses.
“Our ability to rectify mistakes and the strong will to overcome failures will see to it that one day, we will achieve self-advancement. This is the essence of Gawai — celebrating one’s achievement,” Jusit said in a Gawai Dayak message yesterday.
He explained that Gawai is a time of thanksgiving.
“Gawai is deeply rooted in the Dayak community as a way to thank God ( Petara) for the bountiful harvest of paddy. In a modern day context. it can also be used to thank God for one’s achievement of life endeavours,” he said.
Jusit also called on the Dayak community to celebrate in moderation and be extra cautious when driving back to the villages and longhouses for celebrations.
“In the midst of celebrating and merrymaking, let us all be reminded that life continues beyond Gawai Dayak. We still have many other commitments. Our children will go back to school. We still have to bear expenses for our household expenditures. My point is that, we do celebrate, yes, but let us do it in moderation.
“For those behind the (steering) wheel, do please exercise extra precaution whilst on the road. Every accident that involves loss of life is tragic and we surely would not like such unpleasant things to happen in the midst of celebration,” Jusit said.
On behalf of the SDGA exco and its members, he wished all fellow Dayaks a happy and meaningful family reunion and celebration.
“Gayu guru, gerai nyamai, Dayak tampak rita, jelai nama ba menua Petara belama iya.”
We did make mistakes and encountered failures at times. In the face of weaknesses and shortcomings that we encountered in the past one year, let us all meditate on them and think of means to overcome our weaknesses. Dr Jusit Jaul, Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) president