The Niti Daun parade in Kuching showcases Sarawak’s rich cultural diversity and harmony.
AMID the rhythmic beats of the brass gongs and drums, Bidayuh villagers dressed in full traditional attire walked through Kampung Taee near Serian, Sarawak, in a vibrant spectacle of culture and harmony.
This was the village’s annual Gawai parade, known as Birarak, which is held in conjunction with the harvest festival celebrated by Sarawak’s Dayak communities on June 1.
In keeping with common practice in Sarawak during festivals, this was also more than just a Bidayuh celebration, as Sarawakians from all backgrounds came to Kampung Taee to attend the parade and celebrate together.
“Gawai is a festival we all look forward to each year and it is not only celebrated by the Dayaks,” said Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang, the parade’s guest of honour.
An Orang Ulu contingent walking past a crowd of onlookers during the Niti Daun parade.
“If you look around, we have people from all races gathering here to celebrate.”
The same diversity was on display at the state-level Niti Daun Gawai parade in Kuching on June 21, which brought together 3,000 participants from the Orang Ulu, Iban and Bidayuh communities along with thousands of onlookers.
Among them was Syallemah Ismail, who attended the parade with her family for the first time.
“We brought our children to watch it with us. We wanted to see all the different traditional costumes and get to know our own state better, especially all the different ethnicities and their cultures,” said the mother of three.
Speaking from personal experience, Syallemah said one reason why Sarawakians celebrated festivals together was because there were many mixed families in the state.
The Bidayuh community of Kampung Taee parading through the village.
“My mother is Iban and my father is mixed Chinese-Malay, so we celebrate Chinese New Year as well as Gawai with our relatives in Kapit. During Raya, they’ll all come and celebrate with us,” she said.
Syallemah said this shows Sarawak’s unity as families and friends shared their festive occasions with mutual respect.
As an example, she said, her Iban and Bidayuh friends would provide plates specially for their Muslim guests to eat from.
“And during Raya, we sometimes share baju kurung with non-Muslim friends.
“We also share our food like curry and kek lapis,” she added.
The Niti Daun parade participants shared a similar sense of pride in Sarawak’s cultural diversity and harmony.
College student Vanessa Livan Sigau (pic), who is of mixed Kayan-Kenyah heritage, said: “Sarawakians are known for their tolerance and acceptance of one another regardless of race or religion.
“This is why we can celebrate together.
“We can show our traditions and share our culture with one another during events like the Gawai parade,” she said.
Watt Enjup (pic), from the Terabai Menua Welfare Association, said the parade was an opportunity to showcase Sarawak’s unity.
“Sarawak has many different ethnicities, but we are all united.
“Everyone in Sarawak comes for the parade.
“There is unity among the people as well as the various associations and NGOs taking part,” he observed.
Back in Kampung Taee, Simon said everyone was welcome to join the Gawai celebration throughout Sarawak.
“Everyone who comes is welcomed with friendliness and hospitality. We can live together in peace and harmony despite our different backgrounds.
“This makes me proud to be Sarawakian,” he said.
