KUCHING: Preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Dayak community is crucial to safeguarding the identity of future generations amid Sarawak’s rapid development and modernisation, says Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said Hari Gawai Dayak not only symbolises thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest but also serves as an important platform for strengthening cultural identity and preserving the traditional heritage of the Dayak community.
He said the cultural heritage passed down through generations is a valuable treasure that must be protected to ensure future generations continue to understand and appreciate their roots.
“This festival is a sincere reminder that Sarawak’s true strength lies in its ethnic diversity and cultural patterns that live harmoniously under one sovereign nation of Malaysia.
“Indeed, the richness of the Dayak community’s traditions is an important treasure that must be preserved with full commitment so that our younger generation does not lose their way or forget their cultural roots,” he said in his 2026 Hari Gawai Dayak message as reported by UKAS today (May 31).
He added that Gawai Dayak also functions as a bridge connecting people of various races through the practice of the ngabang (visiting) custom and open house traditions, which are among the unique features of the Dayak community in Sarawak.
“The spirit of segulai sejalai (together in unity), which forms the core of Sarawakians’ lives, needs to be continuously strengthened to ensure that the harmony enjoyed all this while can be maintained,” he said.
