CMCO results in toned down Gawai Dayak celebration
KUCHING: Celebrating Gawai Dayak under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) this year has meant a toned down affair, with some opting not to celebrate at all.
Cecelia Munai, 37, observed that Hari Raya Aidilfitri, a week prior to Gawai, was a ‘rehearsal’ of sorts under the new norm.
“So there wasn’t going to be any ngabang (visiting) or pulai menua (returning to the kampung) this time around — the thought had quite settled in for most of us after the long Movement Control Order (MCO).
“But that didn’t dampen the spirit of the festive season as relatives and friends endlessly posted their baking and cooking skills over social media,” she told The Borneo Post when contacted.
Cecelia, an engineer, said being unable to pulai menua and have all family members gathered for the usual ngirup ai pengayu (toast with tuak) was sad.
However, she noted that thanks to technology, group video calls made it possible to connect with everyone.
“True, the feeling isn’t the same but at least for me and my eldest son, we stayed up until quite late interacting with other relatives at their own homes, getting merry with tuak, beer, and liquor.
“We didn’t get to do the ngansar ke kaki (dancing to Iban joget songs) together but then, there are Gawai TikTok videos and other sort of entertainment platforms to get people in the mood,” she said.
On the first day of Gawai Dayak, Cecelia and her family gathered at her parents’ house for lunch.
“Nothing very fancy but I’m just grateful and feeling blessed that I got to be surrounded by loved ones this Gawai CMCO,” she added.
Lydia Kimberly Patrick Sibat also celebrated Gawai Dayak with just her immediate family
So there wasn’t going to be any ngabang (visiting) or pulai menua (returning to the kampung) this time around — the thought had quite settled in for most of us after the long Movement Control Order (MCO). Cecelia Munai
members.
The 35-year-old document controller said that usually on Gawai eve, the family always holds a barbecue with close friends invited as well.
“For this year, it’s just us. It is a little quieter but still fun. For Gawai, we sometimes have open house. If not, we’d be planning our ngabang journey or schedule.
“Of course, this year we can’t. Hence, Gawai feels a little ‘ meh’ this year,” she said.
Lydia said she has mixed feelings about Gawai under the CMCO.