SERIAN: The Affin OoHaa Gawai Dayak 2026 programme showcased the rich heritage of the Bidayuh community through its traditional food, handicrafts and customs.
Sarawak Information Department (JaPen) director Sabri Said said Gawai Dayak was more than a harvest festival, describing it as a celebration of gratitude, unity and the cultural heritage that formed an integral part of Sarawak’s identity.
He said development should not come at the expense of cultural identity, adding that communities should continue preserving their customs and traditions while embracing progress.
“Programmes such as this not only celebrate our traditions but also provide an opportunity for government agencies and strategic partners to engage directly with the community and share useful information.
“I am pleased to see many attendees dressed in traditional attire today.
“This reflects the community’s continued appreciation of its cultural heritage and values,” he said when officiating at the Affin OoHaa Gawai Dayak 2026 programme at Kampung Mujat here on Saturday.
During the programme, media practitioners experienced the traditions and daily life of the Bidayuh community in Kampung Mujat firsthand.
They watched demonstrations of traditional delicacies such as ‘kuih kepung’, ‘kuih chuan’, ‘kuih situtok’ and ‘sungkoi tungkus’, a traditional rice dish wrapped in leaves.
They also watched demonstrations of traditional Bidayuh handicrafts, including the making of ‘lumbok’ and ‘tampi’, as well as the traditional method of harvesting paddy using a tool known as ‘katam’.
Sabri welcomed the participation of media practitioners, saying their presence would help showcase Kampung Mujat’s culture, heritage and way of life to a wider audience.
“I hope members of the media will not only experience the culture, traditions and way of life in Kampung Mujat firsthand, but also share these stories with a wider audience through their respective media platforms,” he said.
Sabri said the programme also enabled government agencies and private sector partners to bring useful information and services closer to rural communities.
Among the highlights were financial literacy sessions conducted by AFFIN Bank, as well as the Internet Selamat campaign by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which promoted the safe and responsible use of digital technology.
He said JaPen remained committed to ensuring government policies and assistance reached the grassroots through direct engagement with local communities.
“The commitment shown by the community today encourages us to expand our collaboration with the private sector so that we can bring more programmes like this to rural communities,” he said.
