Festival name change to promote unity — Nansian

KUCHING: The Redeems Praise Music Festival has changed its name to the Redeems PreChristmas Carnival.

Association of Research and Development Movement of Singai Sarawak ( Redeems) president Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie said the name change was to promote fellowship and unity in line with the Christmas celebration.

The carnival to take place at the Redeems Centre, Kampung Apar Singai in Bau this evening ( Dec 8) and tomorrow ( Dec 9) will feature a children’s party, Santa Claus appearance, busking and Christmas carolling — some of which will be shown live and featured on YouTube.

“For eight consecutive years, this event was known as Praise Music Festival. This year, we call it Pre- Christmas Carnival as we want to focus on Christmas. Entrance is free, so come and join the celebration, which is a free and easy concept.

“The idea is not for you to come and sing alone, but to sing along. There will be potluck, sale of food and drinks, and there could be Christmas open houses at any of the doors in the longhouse in the Redeems Centre, which represent the 12 villages in Singai,” he told reporters yesterday.

He explained the main objective of the carnival is to bring the

For eight consecutive years, this event was known as Praise Music Festival. This year, we call it Pre-Christmas Carnival as we want to focus on Christmas. Entrance is free, so come and join the celebration, which is a free and easy concept.

various Christian denominations and groups together to celebrate Christmas, which marks the coming of the Son of God to this world. Nansian said the PreChristmas Carnival will be among the two main annual activities for Redeems along with the Gawai Carnival, which will now incorporate the Redeems Youth & Sports Carnival.

Redeems is a community based organisation for the 12 villages predominantly inhabited by the Bisingai tribe of the Bidayuh community, namely Apar, Segong, Barieng, Sudoh, Atas, Tanjong Poting, Tanjong Bowang, Senibong, Daun, Bobak Sajong, Bobak Sejinjang, and Sagah, with an estimated population of some 15,000.

Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie, Association of Research and Development Movement of Singai Sarawak (Redeems) president

Nansian (fourth right) receives sponsorship from Lea Sports Centre managing director Raymond Sim for the Pre-Christmas Carnival ladies’ street soccer competition, which will involve eight teams.