SIBU: The Sarawak Dayak Iban Association says the Dayak community should either forgo this year’s Gawai Festival or celebrate it among family members due to the four-week extension of the conditional movement control order (MCO).
Its Rajang branch chairman Bill Jugah said the health of the people was top priority while the Gawai celebration was secondary.
“Never mind if we don’t have Gawai this year as we need to take care of our health first. Let’s us forgo this year’s Gawai as we can always celebrate it in the future.”
According to tradition, in the run-up to Gawai, there would be big dinner gatherings at hotels and the Kumang beauty contest.
A week before Gawai would see Dayaks making a beeline to the express boat terminal to return to their longhouses.
“Longhouses during this Gawai no doubt will be empty and quiet.
“Those already in the longhouses can celebrate Gawai on a smaller scale among themselves but SOP needs to be observed,” he said.
Gawai is celebrated in Sarawak on June 1 and 2.
Its Rajang branch chairman Bill Jugah said the health of the people was top priority while the Gawai celebration was secondary.
“Never mind if we don’t have Gawai this year as we need to take care of our health first. Let’s us forgo this year’s Gawai as we can always celebrate it in the future.”
According to tradition, in the run-up to Gawai, there would be big dinner gatherings at hotels and the Kumang beauty contest.
A week before Gawai would see Dayaks making a beeline to the express boat terminal to return to their longhouses.
“Longhouses during this Gawai no doubt will be empty and quiet.
“Those already in the longhouses can celebrate Gawai on a smaller scale among themselves but SOP needs to be observed,” he said.
Gawai is celebrated in Sarawak on June 1 and 2.
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