KUCHING: In conjunction with the State-level Gawai Dayak festive celebration this year with the theme of Segulai Sejalai Nengah Jeman Digital, three main programmes will be held.
According to Utility Minister Datuk Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, the three programmes organised by the main committee of Gawai Dayak 2018 celebration are Gawai Dayak Bazaar, Gawai Dayak Parade/Niti Daun and Gawai Dayak 2018 Dinner.
“The Gawai Dayak Bazaar will be held in 3 divisions namely Bintulu Commerce Square Mall, Bintulu from May 22 to May 27, 2018, Sibu whereby the places will be announced later from June 13 until June 17, 2018 and at Waterfront Kuching from June 18 until June 22, 2018,” he said.
Rundi, who is also the Organising Chairman of the State-level Gawai Dayak festive celebration, added that for the Gawai Dayak Parade, it will be held on June 22, 2018 at Waterfront Kuching.
“For the Gawai Dayak 2018 dinner, it will be held on June 23, 2018 at Penview Convention Centre (PCC),” he said in a press conference after chairing the meeting on the celebration at Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) building, The Isthmus here yesterday.
He pointed out that the theme this year coincided with the state’s agenda for development based on the digital economy in addition to the rural transformation which also allowed the community especially the Dayak community to be involved in business.
“The State-level Gawai Dayak celebration is an official celebration by the State Government of Sarawak with the cooperation of three (3) major Dayak communities in Sarawak namely Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu.
“The official celebration of the State-level Gawai Dayak Celebration was held in 1987 wherein the three main communities, Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu will be rotated to become Tuai Gawai for this festival,” he explained.
He added that this year the Iban community will be the Tuai Rumah as the Orang Ulu was last year’s Tuai Rumah.
