KAPIT: The ‘Main Asal Dayak’ performance stole the spotlight during the Niti Daun parade, part of the Kapit Dayak Cultural Festival 2.0 (KDCF), held at Kapit Town Square yesterday (May 20).
According to Councillor Martin Bilun, the Niti Daun KDCF contingent coordinator, this was the first time the performance was featured at KDCF, with 800 participants from 23 contingents.
Martin, who is also the secretary of the Gagung Sarawak Club, said that the aim was to showcase traditional Dayak customs to the public, particularly the younger generation.
“KDCF is a platform to promote traditional Dayak attire and foster unity,” he said when interviewed at the parade, which was officiated by Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Law and Native Customs) and Bukit Goram assemblyman, Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat.
The 1km parade route, starting from Kapit Lily Pond to the main stage at Kapit Town Square, was witnessed by a diverse community audience.
The Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) N.64 Balleh team emerged as the champion of the Niti Daun parade at KDCF 2.0, taking home RM2,000, a certificate, and a trophy.
The first runner-up, Orang Ulu National Association (OUNA) Kapit branch, received RM1,500, a participation certificate, and a trophy, while the Serakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Kapit, which placed third, received RM1,000, a certificate, and a trophy.
The fourth and fifth places were awarded to the Women’s Bureau of Rumah Minggat Nanga Bawai Balleh and the KRT Genturung Ulu Terusa Sangin Sungai Amang, respectively, each receiving RM300, a certificate, and a trophy.
Prizes were presented by Jamit during the KDCF 2.0 opening ceremony at the Kapit Town Square.
Also present were Kapit District Officer and chairman of the KDCF Organising Committee, Cerisologo Sabut; Special Officer to the Minister of Public Works, Ambrose Abong Bugek; and a political secretary to the Sarawak Premier, Watson Awan Jalai.
