KUCHING: The Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) has extended its warmest Gawai Dayak greetings to the Dayak community, calling for a celebration rooted in thanksgiving, unity and care for others.
“Gawai, by its very nature, is a thanksgiving celebration.
“We have countless blessings and manifold good favours to celebrate and to thank God for, including the rich harvests of the past year as well as God’s goodness that we can look forward to in the years ahead,” said ACS Chairman who is also the Bishop of Kuching (Sarawak and Brunei Darussalam), The Right Reverend Datuk Danald Jute, in a Gawai message.
He also acknowledged the Dayak community’s rich and diverse cultures, saying these add colour to the nation and strength to communities.
While appreciating the peace and harmony enjoyed in Sarawak, Danald reminded that such values must not be taken for granted.
“Gawai is an opportunity to further foster and strengthen mutual understanding, respect and acceptance.
“Hence, we encourage everyone to embrace and join in our unique tradition of ngabang or open-house so we can bolster and fortify our bonds of friendship,” he added.
At the same time, he urged all to celebrate Gawai in a meaningful and moderate manner.
“There is no need to overspend nor is there any profit in overindulgence, especially in alcohol.
“Instead, consider for example, our children’s education as well as the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves,” he said.
Danald concluded the message with a call to rededicate the Gawai season to God.
“Above all, let this Gawai be a time of rededication to our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, whose nature is always to have mercy and whose desire is for us to be reconciled to Him and to one another,” said Danald.
“Selamat Nyambut Gawai Dayak. Gayu Guru, Gerai Nyamai.”
