JOHOR BAHRU: Despite being far away from their loved ones, the Dayak community in Pasir Gudang, here, strives to practise their customs and culture by celebrating the Gawai via video calls, following the total lockdown that begins today (June 1).
For Hazlena Abdullah, 44, this is her second year of not returning to her village, Kampung Simpang Simunjang in Serian for the festival, but she still celebrates it moderately with her children and husband at their house in Taman Kota Masai, here.
To ease her longing for family members and relatives, and to celebrate the special day together with them, the mother of five conducted a video call session like she did last year.
“The ngirup ai pengayu or drinking the tuak (rice wine) was also carried out via video calls.
“For Muslims like me, the tuak is replaced with any beverage as it is only a symbolic ceremony to pray for long life and prosperity,” she told Bernama when met at her house.
An Iban, Hazlena said Gawai Day would not be complete without special delicacies such as kolok noodles, ayam pansuh (chicken dish), laksa Sarawak and traditional cakes such as penganan jala, kuih cuan and others.
“I made the regular preparations for Gawai. I also taught my children how to prepare the dishes so that these would not be forgotten.
“In terms of clothing, normally for Gawai Day my family and I wear Sarawak batik outfits with the ‘puakumbu’ motif,” said Hazlena who has been residing in Johor for 22 years
She said she accepted the travel ban implemented in order to break the Covid-19 chain, while wishing that she would be able to celebrate the festival as they usually did before the pandemic, next year.
Meanwhile, Persatuan Raban Anak Sarawak Johor chairman Muhammad Danish Sangkan Jantom said there were about 5,000 Sarawakians in the state who registered under the association and they included the Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan and Kenyah.
“We used to organise Gawai Day celebrations (before the Covid-19 pandemic) as it is important for us to practise our customs wherever we are.
