KUCHING: Dayak communities are encouraged to preserve and uphold their customs and cultures, ensuring that their rich heritage continues to thrive in Sarawak.
In this regard, the Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said, celebrating the Gawai Dayak festival will safeguard and promote the customs and culture of the Dayak people within their respective tribes.
“Let us seize this opportunity to visit our family members, friends, relatives, and close acquaintances during this festive season. The tradition of visiting one another has become an integral part of our society, where individuals from different ethnicities, including the Chinese and Malays, join in celebrating Gawai Dayak,” Taib said in his Gawai 2023 message today.
“This celebration will undoubtedly strengthen family bonds, foster gratitude for the accomplishments of the past year, and inspire hope for a better future,” he said.
Taib also expressed pride in the uniqueness of Sarawak’s customs and the diversity of beliefs among its various ethnic groups.
“The unity among our races, which we have enjoyed thus far, has been acknowledged by the Federal government, exemplified by the presence of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in Sarawak on May 21 to officiate the national Unity Week here,” he noted.
He added, “In Sarawak, consisting of 27 ethnic groups, we have successfully fostered peace and harmony due to our tolerance and respect for each race’s diverse customs. This unity is our legacy and heritage, which we must safeguard and uphold.”
Taib expressed his gratitude to the Sarawak government, led by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, for their forward-thinking approach in ensuring the progress of Sarawak by 2030 through the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS).
“With effective and innovative leadership, Sarawak will undoubtedly continue to prosper in the future. Therefore, I call upon all the people of Sarawak to join hands with the state leadership in achieving sustainable development, in line with the motto ‘Sarawak Maju Makmur’,” he urged.
In conclusion, he extended his warmest wishes, on behalf of himself, his wife, and his family, for a joyous Gawai celebration, with the traditional Dayak greeting, “Selamat ngintu Hari Gawai Dayak, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai, Lantang Senang Nguan Menoa… OOOhaaa.”
