SIBU, May 22: The standard operating procedures (SOP) which have been put in place for this year’s Gawai Dayak celebrations has been hailed as a good move, but strict enforcement is needed to get the people to comply.
Chairperson of Kenyah Uma Baha Women’s Association Sibu, Umie Liau said today that it would not be easy to implement the SOPs at longhouses due to the general setting of one.
“The SOPs for Gawai is good, but on the enforcement and implementation sides, I have a big question to ask about how strict the enforcement will be in the longhouse. The other question is will the residents fully comply with it?” asked Umie.
A resident of Uma Baha longhouse in Sungai Asap, Umie reckoned that longhouse residents should also take their personal safety as the top priority as Covid-19 is still in their midst.
“Educated Dayaks are more aware of the risk that the virus poses and might not even celebrate Gawai. But for those in the longhouse, they will need to exercise self restraint by celebrating the occasion confined to their own household. They should avoid doing ngabang (visiting) for the sake of their health,” she said.
As for the Kenyah, she said the community does celebrate Gawai, but in a different way.
“About 95 per cent of Kenyah are Christian. We do celebrate Gawai to thank the Lord for the good harvest as most of us are farmers. But we don’t have the miring ceremony,” she said.
Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA) permanent chairman, Munan Laja hoped that the longhouse community can strictly follow what has been laid down in the SOPs.
“In Sarawak, the last Hari Raya celebration was followed properly by those who celebrated it and I hope this coming Gawai will be the same. We don’t need the policemen or enforcement officers to check on us at the longhouse constantly; life is of utmost importance,” said Munan.
In fully supporting the SOP, Munan said he also does not want to see longhouses being locked down after Gawai.
“Gawai SOPs for 2021 for those areas under CMCO and EMCO (Conditional and Enhanced Movement Control Order) in Sarawak is for the good of all. This is to prevent the spread of Covid-19 as we all know that many longhouses in the state now are under lockdown due to the spread of the virus in the longhouse community,” he added.
According to the SOPs, which is applicable to both CMCO and EMCO areas, the celebration is only allowed on June 1.
It is also confined to family members of the same household for individual houses or rooms in longhouses.
The SOP, according to SDMC, also applies for Gawai Eve on May 31, where only family members of the same household for individual houses or rooms for longhouses are allowed to gather.
Inter-zone travel for balik kampung (returning to villages) and ngabang in both CMCO and EMCO areas is prohibited.
The miring ceremony however is only allowed in CMCO areas and is limited to 20 individuals, including the host and those performing the ritual.
The ceremony can only be held at a place or ruai designated by the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK).
During the Gawai Dayak celebration, the public must wear face masks, observe physical distancing and their attendance must be recorded using the MySejahtera app or manual logbook.
Additionally, marriages, engagements, and thanksgiving ceremonies, child bathing rituals, cockfighting, telematch games, and other social activities are also disallowed during Gawai Dayak this year. — DayakDaily
