Visitors greeted with warm welcome at Gawai open houses

Traditional fare: Dr Jerip is flanked by Fong (left) and Wong during a meal at his open house in Kuching.

KUCHING: Sarawakians are celebrating the Gawai Dayak Festival with open houses and “ngabang” – the practice of visiting family and friends.

At the home of the state’s Assistant Transport Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil at Jalan Batu Lintang here, Bidayuh villagers in traditional costumes ushered visitors in and staged cultural performances.

“Our annual open house welcomes people from every race. People from all walks of life come to join us, but this year we miss our Muslim friends because Gawai falls during the fasting month.

“We enjoy opening our home in staying true to the tradition of celebrating Gawai, not just in the longhouse but also in an urban setting,” Dr Jerip said.

Local flavour: Students from Singapore trying traditional delicacies served at the Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching. 

Guests were served traditional dishes such as ayam pansuh, baked empurau, lemang, kuih jala and umai for the visitors to enjoy the real taste of Gawai, he added.

Among Dr Jerip’s visitors were Sarawak’s Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh and former state attorney-general Datuk JC Fong.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot also held an open house at his village in Kampung Pichin, Serian.

Gawai Dayak is celebrated on June 1 and 2 every year to commemorate the rice harvest.

A state-level Gawai Dayak dinner will be held at Imperial Hotel here on June 17.