By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, June 15: Enormous ‘nyiru’ (winnowing tray), ‘tambok’ (woven basket), and ‘kirik’ (chicken cage) stole the show among the 111 contingents marching at the Gawai Dayak Cultural Parade 2024 in Kuching Waterfront today.
Juliana Mambi, a contingent member of ‘Kelab Rekreasi Pengguna dan Pengurusan Dewan Serbaguna Kampung Tematu’, crafted the gigantic, intricately woven Dayak handicrafts.
The 66-year-old revealed that all handicrafts carried by the Kampung Tematu contingent were her creations, each enormous piece taking about a month to complete, although not continuously. Nonetheless, it was an impressive feat all the same.
“This one, however, took me one week,” Juliana told DayakDaily as she gestured to the ‘kirik’. For an ordinary person, it might seem like a daunting task, but for Juliana’s skilled hands, it’s a task she masters effortlessly.
She mentioned that the challenging part was sourcing natural resources like rattan and bamboo, and overseeing their drying process before weaving them into exquisite traditional baskets.
Juliana also shared that she had previously been commissioned by the National Museum in Kuala Lumpur to weave a similarly gigantic handicraft currently showcased at the parade.
For those interested in her crafts, contact Juliana’s daughter, Leonora Natra, at 016-8723236.
Cockfight demonstration and inflatable arch dilemma
Each contingent showcased their unique specialty to captivate the audience. Notably, one group, took an intriguing approach by staging cockfighting demonstration with two roosters. Rest assured, it was a simulated fight bearing no actual risks designed to captivate and entertain the crowd.
While many contingents improvised with long pieces of cloth and makeshift oars to mimic boats, the Raban Betong 2024 A contingent sailed ahead with ingenuity, parading a stunning float fashioned from an actual boat.
Fortunately, the Raban Betong 2024 A contingent faced no height issues with their float, unlike some other contingents which decorated floats struggled to pass under the inflatable arch during the parade. Spectators cheered as these floats eventually navigated through the temporary challenge.
Previous winner reigns supreme once again
The Kelab Rekreasi Pengguna dan Pengurusan Dewan Serbaguna Kampung Tematu clinched first place in the Bidayuh Association category, repeating their victory from the previous year.
Other first-place winners included Raban Betong 2024 A in the Iban Association category, National Kenyah Association Sarawak in the Orang Ulu Association category, and Sarawak’s Agricultural Department Club in the Ministerial category.
In second place, Persatuan Pewaris Adat Asal Singai Bau claimed victory in the Bidayuh category, Serakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) in the Iban category, Sarawak Kayan Kuching Branch in the Orang Ulu category, and Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Sarawak 1 in the Ministerial category.
The third-place winners in the Bidayuh, Iban, Orang Ulu, and Ministerial categories are the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) of Serapi, Kebudayaan Dayak Bumi Kenyalang, Sarawak’s Kayan Women Association, and RRD Bujang Berani, respectively.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Sarawak (MEITD) Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, and Federal Minister of Works Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi were among the notable attendees present. – DayakDaily
