KUCHING: About 1,500 participants comprising cultural troupes and the general public are expected to take part in the Gawai Parade to be held in conjunction with the Gawai Dayak Open House celebration in Betong on June 10.
The event is part of a three-day-two-night event hosted by the Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF).
Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, who is also Layar assemblyman, said it would be a grand event not to be missed.
“We are also expecting at least 100 tourists to join the celebration,” he said during a courtesy call by New Sarawak Tribune team led by managing editor Aden Nagrace at his office at Baitul Makmur II Building here yesterday.
Also in the delegation were chief reporter Natasha Jee, deputy chief reporters Sarah Hafizah Chandra and Allan Jay and a journalist intern James Wong.
He said the event, among other things, aimed to showcase the rich traditional culture of Gawai Dayak and also to promote the various tourist attractions in Betong such as Lily Fort and Sarawak pepper farm.
“After the parade, on the second day of the celebration, parade participants will be having a picnic lunch by the river, where there will be demonstrations on making handicrafts and traditional kuih as well as cooking ‘ayam pansuh’ (chicken in bamboo),” he added.
Rentap said participants to the Gawai celebration would be staying at the modern longhouse at Rumah Panjang Engkeranji, while the Gawai Open House celebration would be held at Rumah Anyie ak Rajit, Matop, a historic 28-door longhouse.
Rumah Anyie was built in 1941 using massive belian (ironwood) pillars.
He said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas is scheduled to officiate at the opening of the Open House celebration on June 9.
