Let us continue our tradition of ‘ngabang’ (visiting each other’s open house) to spread goodwill, harmony and most of all, our unity.
– Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Premier
So Gawai Dayak is here again. I am sure by this time some members of the Dayak community are down and out from last night and being heavily intoxicated during the rendezvous for the Gawai Eve, especially in the longhouse community dwellings.
Normally the early morning starts with gathering around the ‘Tiang Pengingat’ (Commemorative Pole) situated at the forefront of the longhouse or community dwelling. In the early days, pagans would do the ‘miring’ (appeasement) as offerings to the Deities or Petara. But this group is now no more around. For our Kedap longhouse in Saratok, Tuai Rumah Robert Lin Malina, who is a lay reader, will lead the others in prayer around the pillar.
Ngabang (goodwill visit) starts around 8.30 am whereby the longhouse is divided into two. One half will become the hosts whereas the other half will act as visitors in the 34-door longhouse. Next year their roles will reverse. This has been going on since 2015 but was paused during the pandemic. Since 2022 this had resumed and this year is the second year of continuation. One would see both the men and their opposite numbers put on their best attires. Some men will likely put on newly acquired blazers and headdresses whereas the women will put on makeups and wigs to add fanciness.
Adding to the visits within the longhouse, I heard there were plans this year to organise ngabang between other longhouses starting from the afternoon till evening. This year, our Kedap longhouse plans to hold goodwill visit with the 22-door Nanga Assam longhouse. It is the nearest to Kedap, just less than 3km away. If it goes on this is continuing what they did in the 90s. The aim is to further enhance community rapport and understanding. Afterall, many of the occupants belong to the same stock and share common ancestors.
There is also plan to do mutual goodwill visits between Kedap and other longhouses such as Tanjung Sikup and Sungai Belong further up the Melupa basin but accessible by good roads. Tanjung Sikup, headed by my brother-in-law Untan Sajok is formerly from Munggu Embawang, my dad’s birthplace. Most of the occupants are my relatives and so is Sungai Belong, headed by our nephew Martin Ketit.
I remember going on a Gawai Dayak visit to Tanjung Sikup in 2016 with my brothers and their children. It was such an interesting event because that was when I met my first cousins, namely two sisters who lodged with me during their schooling days in the early 90s. One of them, the younger one was with her Indian hubby from Johor Bahru and their three kids, who were grown up already. My Indian cousin-in-law Morgan speaks Iban fluently. They met in a Bintangor school in the mid 90s and I was the one who represented her family for her wedding to Morgan.
This year, I am not able to go back to Saratok but I wish the ngabang deed between Kedap occupants as well as to other longhouses to go on as scheduled and in the best of circumstances. I understand that on the second day of the festival, some items have been arranged to be held to give further heat-up to the Gawai. These items include a tug of war between the two factions of the longhouse namely those from Door 1 to 17 and Door 18 to 34. It will certainly be interesting as it is a mixed event represented by one lady from each side plus four men. There will be a ‘nyumpit’ (blowpipe) contest for men and boys. Badminton and sepak takraw will also be featured to spruce up the day.
Lunch will be served after the morning events and the programme continues after lunch. I have been made to understand that some ladies are involved in preparing the lunch at Kedap’s community hall in order to be served to all the participants and occupants. It is a hall that can accommodate 100 people with chairs and tables available for all.
These events will certainly see a fine competitive spirit and rapport among longhouse residents. It will certainly be better with the expected presence of longhouse mate and Betong Division Resident Richard Michael Abunawas who has accepted the invitation to officiate at the opening event, namely the tug of war.
I wish all celebrants statewide a happy and joyous Gawai Dayak. Selamat Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai Nguan Menua.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
