Thursday, 3 July 2025

Homecoming and deeper meaning of Gawai celebration

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Mitt (right) with family members who had just arrived from Brunei.

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KUCHING: One of the many beautiful aspects of life in Malaysia is our abundance of celebrations throughout the year. It often feels like there is always another festivity just around the corner.

This is especially true in Sarawak, where cultural diversity adds richness to each occasion. These celebrations provide more than just a reason to gather.

They are an opportunity for us to connect, to learn from one another, and to strengthen the bonds within our communities.

When a friend invites you to ngabang, there is every reason to go and immerse yourself in their culture. Experiencing this first-hand can be truly life changing.

In Sarawak, Gawai is more than just a festive event. It is a deeply meaningful time to express gratitude for the blessings in our lives.

As the season approaches, shopping centres buzz with anticipation, airports fill with emotion, and homes begin to brim with warmth once again.

At Kuching International Airport, Sarawak Tribune met with travellers returning home for the celebration.

Mitt, originally from Kanowit in Sibu and now based in Kuching, was waiting to welcome family members arriving from Brunei.

This year, they will be celebrating Gawai in the city together.

“Although we’re celebrating here in Kuching, nothing quite compares to being in our hometown. I believe it’s the atmosphere – the feeling of being back where you grew up – that makes all the difference.

“Still, we never forget our family traditions, no matter where we are,” she said.

While some are returning home with full hearts, others carry more complicated emotions.

At the airport, Nina waits for her ride to Serian.

Nina, who had just flown in from Kuala Lumpur, shared that she and her siblings are making a special effort this year to reunite in Serian following the recent passing of their father.

“I return every year for Gawai, but some of my siblings haven’t always been able to due to various circumstances.

“This year, we made a promise to all come home as a way of remembering our late father,” she said.

Though the celebration is fast approaching, Nina admitted that she hasn’t yet made any preparation but plans to do so once she reaches Serian.

Festivals like Gawai remind us of the many different stories that shape our lives.

In hearing them, we come to understand not only each other, but the deeper value of togetherness.

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