BINTULU: More than 1,000 longhouse folk from Sebauh converged at Rumah Panjang Meikle Ding, Sekutan in Sebauh for a “Ngiling Tikai” ceremony to mark the end of the month-long Gawai Dayak festival.
Deputy Chief Minister and Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas officiated at the event last Saturday.
Uggah was accompanied by Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, MLNG chief executive officer Mohamed Syazwan Abdullah @ Laga Jenggi and Petronas Carigali Sarawak Gas senior general Manager Morris Mail.
The event was jointly hosted by Petronas subsidiary companies, namely ASEAN Bintulu Fertilizer Sdn Bhd (ABF), Malaysia LNG Group of Companies (MLNG), Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd Sarawak Gas (PCSB Sarawak Gas), and Petronas Group Procurement Sarawak.
Speaking at the event, Mohamed Syazwan said: “The ‘Ngiling Tikai’ is a unique tradition that promotes togetherness and shared success in the local community.
“This event also gives our staff the opportunity to experience the rich tradition of the Dayak community in Sarawak.”
The highlight was the rolling of the mat (tikai) along with ‘Ngetas Ranyai’ (cutting of the ceremonial palm tree) to signify the end of the Gawai celebration.
The event featured community engagement activities via home safety inspection and fire safety demonstration to spread awareness among the 28-door longhouse folk of Rumah Panjang Meikle Ding.
Petronas volunteers also held sharing sessions on education and career opportunities in Petronas for the youths and students in Sebauh area.
The celebration was made merrier with telematch games and demonstrations of local crafts such as “nusuk manik” (beadwork) and “beranyam” (weaving of ‘ketupat’). The ladies of the longhouse also showcased the beauty of “baju kebaya” in “Pekit kebaya indai urang’ (Kebaya competition).
