Gawai Dayak 2020 celebrated in subdued manner

PETALING JAYA: Unlike previous years, this year’s Gawai Dayak festival will be celebrated in a more subdued manner for Sarawakian Christine Lyana Raymond Mocheg.

The 30-year-old will mark this year’s celebration, which falls today and tomorrow, with just close family members due to the Covid-19 outbreak in the country.

“It feels a bit less festive as we can’t host or visit our relatives or friends.

“But, of course, I am still grateful to be able to celebrate this day with my beloved family, ” she said.

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Despite the scaled-down celebration this year, Christine and her family were still dressed in their best festive attire to celebrate.

“We will still be dressed in our traditional clothes for the celebration.

“My family and I will also prepare the delicacies that are usually eaten during the Gawai Dayak festival, such as penganan, ” she said, adding that they started preparing the dishes a day before the celebration.

She added that lemang was also a staple during the festival.

Christine said that she and her family still felt the joy of celebrating the Gawai Dayak festival together.

“After all, the festival is meant to signify new beginnings (after the harvest season), ” she added.

Separately, National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique said even though Gawai Dayak would be a modest event this year, the people could still be united in the celebrations.

She wished all Malaysians who are celebrating the festival a “Happy Gawai Dayak”.

“In the past, we would celebrate Gawai Dayak with great fanfare at the end of the harvest season as a symbol of gratitude for the rice we are able to enjoy as well as to celebrate our fortitude in overcoming the challenges we faced.

“This year, our celebrations are more modest in line with the conditional movement control order (MCO), and as such, many will not be able to make the trip back to our respective hometowns, ” she said in a press statement.

She emphasised however that this was part of the collective sacrifice of Malaysians in support of the government’s efforts to break the chain of transmission of Covid-19.

“Although we differ in cultural practices and we are apart physically, we can still celebrate Gawai Dayak together as one in order to honour the traditions that have been preserved for generations.

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“(These traditions are) translated into the context of a multicultural society that is mutually respectful in line with our aspiration for a united Malaysia.

“It gives me great pleasure to wish all Malaysians celebrating, happy Gawai Dayak, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai Lantang Senang Nguan Menua, ” Halimah said.

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