BINTULU: The Pekit Kumang competition, a key highlight of the Gawai Dayak celebration, should be seen as an effort to empower Dayak women and uphold the cultural heritage of the Dayak community, said Minister in the Premier’s Department, Datuk Seri John Sikie Tayai.
He emphasised that the competition is not merely a beauty contest, but a cultural platform that showcases the historical value, identity, and elegance of Dayak women through their traditional attire, which symbolises the rich heritage of their respective tribes.
“The perception that Pekit Kumang is just a show needs to be corrected. It is a meaningful appreciation of the Dayak community’s heritage and identity,” he said during the 2025 Tatau District Gawai Dayak Night, jointly organised by the Tatau district community leaders and village chiefs (KMKK) and the Tatau Dayak Association, held at a local restaurant on Saturday night.
Sikie also commended the participants for donning full ngepan, or traditional dress from head to toe, which is steeped in cultural significance.
He noted that representatives from various ethnic groups, including the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu, wore attire such as pekit keligit, with a deep understanding of the origins and meaning behind each piece of jewellery and accessory.
The Kakus assemblyman also said that the competition serves as a platform for the younger generation to better understand their cultural roots and to develop confidence based on their identity as Dayak youth.
“This is a form of informal education. Young people are not only wearing traditional costumes, but also learning the stories behind every motif and accessory,” he said.
He added that the competition helps foster unity among Sarawak’s multi-ethnic communities, as reflected in the Tatau Gawai celebration which included participation from Malay, Chinese, and other ethnic groups.
“This is the true spirit of Gawai — to unite, not divide,” he said.
Also present were Selangau MP Edwin Banta, Bintulu Division Resident Datuk Nyurak Keti, and Tatau District Officer Calvin Ligong Endawie.
