By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 20: A delegation of 63 Dayaks from Kalimantan, Indonesia has arrived in Sarawak to join in the vibrant celebration of the Gawai Dayak Parade, which will take place tomorrow (June 21) at the Kuching Waterfront.
This marks the first time the Sarawak Gawai Parade organising committee has extended an official invitation to their Dayak brethren from across the border.
The highly anticipated parade is expected to be graced by the presence of Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Leading the Kalimantan delegation is Deputy Governor of North Kalimantan (Kaltara), Ingkong Ala, who arrived with 30 members of Masyarakat Adat Dayak Kaltara.
Accompanying him are Martin Bila, President of Majelis Adat Dayak Nasional (MADN) and a serving Senator in the Indonesian Parliament, along with MADN secretary-general Yakobus Kumis.
A second group of 30 representatives from Masyarakat Adat Kalimantan Barat, also under MADN, is led by Thadeus and Katharina Lies. Thadeus, who also serves as secretary-general of Dewan Adat Dayak (DAD), expressed his appreciation to Sarawak Gawai Parade organising committee chairman, Datuk Gerawat Gala, for the heartfelt invitation.
“As people of the same roots and close neighbours, we are truly honoured to be here. This visit is also a gesture of appreciation to Pak Alim and Pak Salam, who have supported the participation of Dayaks from Sarawak, Sabah, and Brunei in our Pekan Gawai Dayak in Pontianak since 2008,” he said in a statement today.
Katharina, a former teacher and former member of the Kalimantan Barat Legislature (ADUS), shared her hope that more Dayaks from West Kalimantan will take part in future Gawai celebrations in Sarawak and Sabah.
“We are thrilled to be here and look forward to mingling with our fellow Dayaks while donning our traditional attire. Thank you, Pak Alim, for coordinating this memorable visit,” she said.
The entourage was warmly received this morning at the Tebedu Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) checkpoint by Bala Dayak Sarawak members Salam Chimie and Midi Johnek.
They are scheduled to attend a ngabang (open house) gathering on the evening of June 21 at a local Dayak residence in Kuching, adding a cultural highlight to their visit. — DayakDaily
