KUCHING: Celebrating more than three festivals in a year is one of the perks of being in an intermarriage, especially in Sarawak.
Ampa Bandaryne, an Iban from Simunjan, said that even though she had started a family with her husband, Kanan Navaratnam from Kuching, she would still return to her hometown every Christmas.
“Usually during Gawai and Christmas, our family will go back to the village to celebrate the festivals with our families there. Of course, when we return to Kuching, we will also visit other family members in conjunction with the festivals.
“As for Deepavali, we will celebrate together with my husband’s family. Likewise on Chinese New Year, we will also celebrate it by visiting my husband’s uncle who is married to a Chinese woman,” she said, adding that being an intermarriage was a privilege for her.
She said this when met by the New Sarawak Tribune at the handing over of Christmas Biscuits programme at Thompson Corner, Jalan Nanas yesterday.
Touching on the programme itself, she praised Petra Jaya MP Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Satok assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki and Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Satok branch for their thoughtfulness in organising such a programme.
“This programme shows that the unity in our community is strong in this state. I really appreciate this kind of effort because we in Sarawak get along regardless of race,” she added.
Meanwhile, Ampa’s daughter, Reshyini Nisha Kanan, said she was very grateful to be born from a intermarriage because she could experience cultural differences that united the family and the community.
“Enjoying various festivals as a family is fun.
“Although there are differences in terms of customs and so on, it still unites not only family members but also the community in this state,” she said.
For the record, the programme was organised by SUPP Satok branch in conjunction with the Christmas day tomorrow.
One hundred and fifty packets of Christmas biscuits were handed over to members of the public here by both Fadillah and Ibrahim.
