KUCHING: The inaugural ‘Mantar Aco Lepa Ajau Birami Gawai’ programme was officiated by Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development, Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom at RTM Kuching here on Thursday (May 12).
The programme was organised by the Department of Agriculture (DOA) Sarawak in collaboration with RTM Sarawak and University Malaya Dayak Alumni Association (PADUM).
‘Mantar Aco Lepa Ajau Birami Gawai’, which is a programme for pre-celebration after paddy harvesting, was aimed to be held as a community serving event while introducing the traditional cakes and biscuits of the Dayaks to the masses.
More than 4,000 types of traditional cakes and biscuits, such as ‘kuih penganan/jala’ by the Iban, ‘kuih cap/cuan’ by the Bidayuh, ‘urom/dinoh’ by the Kenyah and Kayan, and ‘kelupis’ by the Bisaya and Lun Bawang, were distributed via drive-through to the masses.
The preparations started as early as 8.30am by the staff of RTM, DOA and PADUM with the distribution starting at 3.30pm.
The main door of RTM Kuching was opened to the public to drive in to collect the traditional cakes and biscuits from the staff of RTM and strategic partners such as Dayak Bidayuh National Association, Sarawak Dayak National Union, Orang Ulu National Association, Persatuan Wanita Kayan Kenyah, Sarawak Dayak Iban Association and Unit for Other Religions.
