GAWAI Dayak actually celebrates the end of bountiful harvest in Sarawak. It was then celebrated at different longhouses at different times.
The ethnic Dayak community decided to celebrate the event on one day, and thus is celebrated as the most important day by all Dayak’s different ethnic groups.
Such being the case, it is now one of Sarawak’s important gazetted holidays.
It has since been the symbol of the much-needed unity, hope and aspiration of the ethnic Dayak people, the majority ethnic group in Sarawak today.
Traditionally after a bountiful harvest, Gawai is a thanksgiving day in all the longhouses across the length and breath of Sarawak, and for the same reason celebrated by the ethnic Kadazan-Dusun and other related ethnic groups in Sabah as their gazetted annual Harvest Festival.
But things have changed since 1963. Indeed, it is a monumental step for these people.
Many have gone into politics as well, which they are learning fast.
I am exceedingly proud of their achievements and substantial contributions to the progress and prosperity of this country.
The Dayak bravery and leadership, as shown by the late Temenggong Koh, is legendary. A front-line hero, honest and remained poor on his death. But a man of integrity.
At this most trying time with the war on the invisible and crafty COVID-19 still far from being over yet, some global community has decided “to live with the virus” after most people have been fully vaccinated, for mainly economic reasons, with the exception of a number of tumultuous third-world countries with vaccines and financial problems.
The global economy is almost crippled beyond description. It affects almost everything on earth. Employment, family, food on the table, mental health, the ugly white-collar crime, surging crime rate.
While we are reopening, all, I am sure, will still continue to be careful and vigilant.
As if this is not enough, there are wars, conflicts and unrest in many parts of the uncertain and unpredictable world. People suffer untold miseries and sufferings, especially the most vulnerable, the poor, the sick, the children, and the seniors and underprivileged.
All countries should ideally consider devoting their funds, time and energy to make life safer, happier and more bearable for everyone in this rather difficult, troubled and tumultuous world, instead of production of lethal weapons, especially nuclear weapons, with capacity to destroy humankind.
There will be universal peace and happiness if all nations commit to total disarmament. The trillions of dollars spent could be utilised to raise the standards of living across the world. That will be the day to celebrate THE UNIVERSAL DAY OF PEACE.
Global inflation and threatening famine caused by geopolitical tensions should be addressed immediately.
The much-feared climate change and its ill effects on humankind, flora and fauna, and the environment is a monumental issue.
We see such ill effects already even within our own country as torrential rains and serious floods seem to be occurring with greater frequency.
Serious weather disturbances greatly disrupting and endangering lives such as ferocious forest fires because of severe dry conditions are being experienced now even by countries such as the United States, Canada, Japan and Australia.
In our neighbouring countries such as the Philippines, typhoons seem to be growing in intensity with each passing year.
While all these man-made and natural disasters affect almost all parts of the world.
As we celebrate another Gawai festival, let us be reminded again to celebrate in moderation. Both humans and Planet Earth must stay healthy for their own sake and that of future generations.
God bless our people. God bless our country.
Selamat Hari Gawai, Gayu Guru, Gerai Nyamai! Selamat Harvest Festival (Sabah)!
