Inaugural Gawai Dayak Bazaar at MJC
This will also be an attraction for all especially tourists from overseas.
KUCHING: The Dayak community have been given the mandate to run its own first- ever Gawai Dayak Bazaar in the state from April 30 to May 22.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu says the bazaar is intended to showcase the culture of the Dayaks as well as their unique local delicacies.
“This will also be an attraction for all especially tourists from overseas,” said Jabu who is also Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Minister of Rural Development.
He commended Padawan Municipal Council ( MPP) which has allocated an area at MJC Batu Kawa New Township, free of charge, for the bazaar.
“For this, I would like to propose to MPP for the Gawai Dayak Bazaar to be an annual affair,” he said when officiating at the Gawai Dayak Bazaar pre- launch at the Christian Ecumenical Centre ( CEC) on Saturday night.
Jabu suggested that the council seriously consider for the event to be listed in its calendar of annual events.
The Gawai Dayak Bazaar will also be an avenue for people to get themselves reconnected with their heritage.
At the function, Jabu pledged RM10,000 in government grant to Gagasan Anak Dayak Sarawak ( GADS) and another RM20,000 for organising the Gawai Dayak Bazaar.
He also announced that the ‘Rumah Asap Dayak Samarahan’ (or RADS) located at Jalan Dato Musa, Samarahan would be upgraded to provide a more conducive place for Dayak members to operate their small businesses.
Meanwhile, President of GADS Gulin Shadom said the bazaar would aim to emulate other festive bazaars such as the Ramadan Bazaar and Chinese New Year Bazaar.
He pointed out that there would be 100 stalls available for this Gawai Dayak Bazaar, which would be managed by the local vendors.
“This will also encourage the Dayaks’ to venture into business,” he said adding that registration for the site rental was now open.
Also present at the dinner were MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang and First Infantry Commander Major General Datuk Stephen Mundaw.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Deputy Chief Minister