Entries open for Gawai ‘Warrior, Maiden’ pageants

MIRI: Single Dayak and Orang Ulu women aged between 18 and 25, as well as Dayak and Orang Ulu men aged between 18 to 30 are invited to take part in the division-level Gawai Dayak Kumang / Keligit (Maiden) and Keling/ Belawan ( Warrior) 2017 to take place at Meritz Hotel here this May 13.

According to event spokesperson Caroline Siburat, the pageants will be the highlight of the division-level of Gawai Dayak Dinner 2017, to be held also at the same venue that night.

There will be four categories – Kumang Iban, Kumang Bidayuh, Keligit Orang Ulu and Keling/Belawan ( Open). For the Kumang and Keligit categories, contestants must be single Malaysian Dayak women aged between 18 and 25 as at May 13 this year. Divorced or single mothers are not eligible to participate.

The Keling/ Belawan category, on the other hand, is open to all single Malaysian Dayak men aged between 18 and 30 at May 13. Divorced and single fathers are not eligible to participate.

“For Muslim Dayak contestants, a written clearance from Islamic Affairs Department or a written consent from the parents is required before they could take part in the pageant,” said Caroline.

For school-leavers or students, only those who are not governed by the Malaysian Examination Council such as students of universities and private colleges are allowed to participate.

An elimination round will be held on May 6 to select the six finalists.

Prizes for the winner of each Kumang Iban, Kumang Bidayuh and Keligit Orang Ulu category is RM1,000, a trophy and a bouquet of flowers, while the top runners-up will receive RM800 and RM600, hampers, certificates and bouquets of flowers

“This year, there will be something different. The winners of the Kumang and Keligit categories will compete among themselves for the ‘Overall Kumang Gawai Dayak Miri Division 2017’ title.

“The grand winner will receive an additional RM1,000, trophy, sash, bouquet of flowers and a certificate,” she disclosed.

For the Keling Iban/Belawan Orang category, the winner will walk away with RM800, while the top runners-up will receive RM700 and RM600 alongside hampers. All top three finalists will each be given a trophy.

A compulsory briefing for all contestants will be held April 25 at Rumah Dayak Miri scheduled to commence at 7.30pm, where they will also practise their catwalk for the elimination round.

Entry forms can be obtained from Kitty Janggot by calling 085435467(office) or Jacqueline Selaka ( 016- 8786205) for the Kumang/Keling Iban categories; Caroline ( 012- 8518938 / 085- 415371(office) for the Kumang Bidayuh/Keling Bidayuh categories; or Loretta Herbert Madang ( 0198360333) for the Keligit/Belawan Orang Ulu categories.

Each completed entry form must also be enclosed with an entry fee of RM25, along with a photocopy of the contestant’s Mykad, birth certificate and a passport-size photo.

This must reach the organising committee of the ‘ Kumang/ Keligit & Keling/ Belawan 2017 Contest’; or submitted to Dayak Association of Miri ( DAM) office at Lot 1088-1089 on Third Floor of Rumah Persatuan Dayak Miri at Jalan Merpati here – not later than 4.30pm on April 21.