By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, June 21: Kuching City Council South (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng closes the Gawai Dayak celebration with a ‘ngetas ranyai’ ceremony at the Segulai Sejalai Gawai Dayak MBKS 2024 today.
‘Ngetas Ranyai’ is a ceremony that signifies the conclusion of a celebration, in this case, the Gawai Dayak festival.
The event began with a ‘ngajat’ dance performed by an MBKS staff member upon Wee’s arrival. Later, the MBKS staff, dressed in various traditional outfits, held a performance on the stage.
“Today, we celebrate not only the end of the harvest season but also the beginning of a new year filled with promise and potential.
“It is a time to honour the hard work and dedication of our farmers, whose efforts ensure that we have bountiful harvests and food on our tables,” said Wee during his speech at the MBKS lobby.
Wee performed the ngajat before cutting the ‘fruit’ of a makeshift tree to symbolise the end of Gawai Dayak for the ‘ngetas ranyai’ ceremony.
The Segulai Sejalai Gawai Dayak event concluded with a prize-giving ceremony for the best attire, with the Kumang’s first place won by Nur Aisyah Raudhah Devvy with an intricately designed Orang Ulu traditional costume.
Meanwhile, the first place in the Keling Gawai competition was won by David Taha, who wore a traditional Bidayuh costume that faithfully highlights the rich cultural heritage of the Bidayuh community.
Wee praised the MBKS staff for their hard work, which was demonstrated by their efforts in planning and executing various events, which was particularly evident during today’s Gawai Dayak celebration.
“With the closing of the Gawai (Dayak), you (attendees) can drink the tuak with my special permission,” he joked. — DayakDaily
