KUCHING: The Gawai Dayak celebration serves as a platform to showcase the rich culture and traditions of the Iban community.
Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis said this can be seen especially through the Kumang Gawai competition.
“The new generation needs to be exposed to traditional costumes so that they always remember their roots and identity.
“Therefore, I hope every Iban community will continue to put on the traditional costumes such as ‘Kain Kebat’ for women and ‘Baju Burung’ for the men.”
He said this during the Sri Aman Division ‘Mantar Gawai Dayak’ 2024 event held at the Dewan Suarah Sri Aman recently.
Harden, who is also the patron of the event, said that such events highlight the identity of the Dayak people in Sarawak.
Meanwhile, the highlight of the event saw Marry Puspa Luju winning the Sri Aman Division Pekit Kumang Gawai where she took home a cash prize of RM3,000, trophy, sash, crown and bouquet of flowers.
Later, at the event, Harden also approved a Minor Rural Project (MRP) allocation of RM10,000 to the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU).
Sri Aman MP Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodie also approved a MRP allocation of RM5,000 to the Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Simanggang Branch.
