BINTULU: The Gawai Dayak Bazaar should not be seen as merely a trading space but a strategic platform to build the economic competitiveness of the Dayak community.
In stating this Senator Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol said the collective effort in organising the Gawai Dayak Bazaar thus shows the community is ready to explore broader economic opportunities, especially in micro and small entrepreneurship.
“The potential of the Dayak community, particularly in producing traditional products, is immense.
“We can see for ourselves how ethnic-patterned clothing, beaded accessories, and woven fabrics sold at the stalls today are of high quality and able to compete,” she said while officiating the Bintulu Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2025 at Dewan Suarah Bintulu on Saturday.
According to Rita, the economic strength of the Dayak community does not rely solely on buyers, but also on the ability to produce local goods with their own aesthetic and market value.
Therefore, she urged more women and youths to step forward and commercialise products such as cakes, biscuits, and traditional food.
“I challenge the women in the associations present today to make next year’s Gawai Bazaar a platform to shine as suppliers, not just daily traders,” she said.
At the same time, Rita reminded the public of the importance of digital promotion in increasing the visibility of the Gawai Bazaar to a broader audience.
“We must be more aggressive in using social media like Facebook and TikTok as promotional tools.
“This is crucial so the general public knows and comes to show their support,” she added, explaining the importance of digital reach in stimulating the community’s economy.
As a commitment to the initiative, she announced a contribution of RM15,000 to the Bintulu Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2025 organising committee to empower the annual programme further.
She also suggested that organisers add value to the programme by introducing traditional games, which would preserve cultural heritage and attract the younger generation to reconnect with their roots.
Rita described the theme ‘Segulai Sejalai Bedagang’ as symbolic of unity among the Dayak community in moving forward together in the business world.
“I am very proud to see 15 Dayak associations coming together to organise this Gawai Bazaar.
“This spirit should be further strengthened because it not only brings economic benefits, but also fosters closer ties between ethnic groups,” she added.
The Bintulu Gawai Dayak Bazaar 2025 runs until May 23 , involving the collaboration of 15 associations, namely: Persatuan Pembangunan Dayak Bintulu (BANGUN), Persatuan Dayak Iban Sarawak (SADIA), Persatuan Kebangsaan Dayak Bidayuh (DBNA), Sarakup Induk Dayak Sarawak (SIDS), Persatuan Kebangsaan Orang Ulu (OUNA), Terabai Menua, Dayak Bukit Kelingkang (DBK), Persatuan Penggiat Seni Tari Daerah Bintulu (PEMENTAS), Persatuan Bisaya Sarawak (PBS), Persatuan Dayak Sarawak (PEDAS), Persatuan Peminat Main Asal Iban (PEMANIS), Persatuan Komuniti Etnik Kajang Sarawak (PKEKS), Persatuan Kayan Sarawak (PKS), Persatuan Kuntau Kipas Dam Dam Spring Bintulu (PKKDDSB), and Persatuan Kenyah Badeng Sarawak (KEBANA).
