KUCHING: A large crowd of visitors from all races, many wearing traditional finery, attended the Gawai open house hosted by Deputy Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah at the Unifor Complex here.
Celebrated yesterday and today in Sarawak, Gawai showcases the state’s multicultural harmony as communities come together for the harvest festival in a spirit of mutual respect and acceptance.
Among them was Elvy Grace Simon, who came from Kg Krusen in Serian with her children yesterday.
Dressed in a modern Bidayuh attire, she said this was her first time attending an official Gawai open house by a government leader.
“Usually, in the village, we will visit our relatives and have festive celebrations called rami at night, with karaoke sessions and live bands.
“This year we decided to do something different and came here to experience the celebration with other races,” she said.
Kuching Roman Catholic Archbishop Datuk Simon Poh said the open house tradition in Sarawak was a time of welcoming people, making friends and building harmony at the community level.
“May Gawai be a time of friendship, fellowship, building harmony and especially enjoying the culture and building mutual respect and acceptance,” he said.
Visitors were greeted by a traditional Iban welcoming dance upon arrival and treated to festive fare including manok pansoh (chicken cooked in bamboo), lemang and kuih jala.
The open house also featured cultural performances and Gawai songs by Dayak artistes.
Meanwhile, Uggah said Sarawak’s ngabang tradition, or visiting one another during festive celebrations, reflected the state’s unity and harmony.
He noted the significance of holding his Gawai open house at the Unifor Complex, which houses the state’s Unit for Other Religions.
“This building is a source of pride to all of us. And I’m very pleased to see people of all races and religions coming to visit the open house,” he said.
