BETONG came alive with festive cheer during Gawai, the harvest festival celebrated by Sarawak’s Dayak community early this month.
The town hosted the Sarawak Tourism Federation’s fourth Gawai parade and open house this year, an annual display of culture, hospitality and community spirit.
A total of 2,192 participants in 32 contingents assembled at the Betong Sports Complex early on June 6 for the parade.
They represented four categories, comprising government agencies, statutory bodies and the private sector; community leaders, longhouses, villages, non-governmental organisations, bazaars and markets; higher educational institutions and secondary schools in Betong; and primary schools and kindergartens in Betong.
Prizes were available for the best contingent in each category as well as an overall winner.
The participants, young and old, wore full traditional attire, showcasing Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage and identity.
Men in warrior costumes mingled with women in traditional finery and graceful headgear.
Many contingents also performed cultural dances and played traditional musical instruments as they made their way through the streets of Betong.
The parade ended at Dewan Panglima Rentap, where SMK Saribas was crowned the best contingent overall for the fourth consecutive year, winning the grand prize of RM10,000 and a trophy.
SMK Saribas also won the Best Costume award, while the Best Performance award went to the Betong division health office.
Gerempung Tuai Rumah N37 Bukit Saban took the award for the most number of participants.
State Deputy Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, who represented Deputy Premier Datuk Douglas Uggah at the parade’s closing ceremony, was impressed by the number of contingents and participation from various races.
“Everyone took part together regardless of race, showing that the people of Betong are united and inclusive,” he said.
He added that the Gawai celebration was a time to build closer ties and strengthen friendships across the community.
The parade was followed by a Gawai open house at Engkeranji Longhouse in the evening.
Visitors received a traditional welcome, enjoyed local cuisine and were entertained by traditional dance performances.
The festivities culminated in a Gawai Kaamatan concert featuring artists from Sarawak, Sabah and Kalimantan.
