KUCHING: The Gawai Dayak celebration reflects Sarawak’s multicultural unity and harmony, says Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah.

       He said it was a significant occasion when people from all races celebrated together at open houses.

       “Sarawakians support each other during celebrations, when the Chinese, the Malay and people from all religions and cultures converge at an open house.

       “They don’t come to eat but to cement our unity so that we know each other’s cultures.

       “Through this mutual understanding, we will be able to live together peacefully and be more united,” he told reporters at a Gawai open house jointly hosted by him and other Dayak ministers and deputy ministers from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) yesterday.

       Gawai, which falls on June 1 and 2, is the harvest festival celebrated by Sarawak’s Dayak communities.

       Uggah said this year’s Gawai was especially meaningful after the last two years of the Covid-19 pandemic when large-scale celebrations could not be held.

       He said it was a big relief as Sarawakians could celebrate Gawai and the recent Hari Raya Aidilfitri after the pandemic.

       “As the chairman of the state disaster management committee, I know how tough it was during the movement control order (MCO) in the last two years.

       “There was a lot of frustration, disappointment, lost jobs and lost business opportunities, but the people of Sarawak are cooperative, resilient and prepared to sacrifice,” he said.

       “This is the spirit we want to maintain as we move forward in the transition towards endemicity.”

       However, Uggah said it was important to remain cautious as Covid-19 was still around.

       “If all of us do our part as we have done in the past, I’m sure we can go through this and continue our lives normally,” he added.

       Meanwhile, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was the guest of honour at the Gawai open house, which was also attended by other dignitaries and members of the public.

       Upon arrival, he was invited to participate in a traditional ceremony of unwrapping a package called “kujuk” in Iban.

       The “kujuk” ceremony is an old tradition practised by the Ibans to welcome an important visitor to the longhouse during Gawai, which usually takes place in the upper gallery of the “ruai” (longhouse verandah).

       Inside the “kujuk” is a variety of food items and gifts from the open house host.