A CULTURAL festival was dished out by Sarawak’s Dayak communities at the national-level Gawai Dayak Open House at the Kuching Amphitheatre last Saturday.
The Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu communities feted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid with traditional songs, music and dances.
Also present were Sarawak Governor Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng, his wife Toh Puan Norkiah, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and other Federal and state dignitaries.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in his speech read out by Dr Rais, said the Government would continue to celebrate the festivals of the different races in the country.
“This doesn’t mean that we are sharing our beliefs or religions but is a sign of our tolerance for Malaysians of another race and religion.
“It proves that all Malaysians can live together in peace and harmony to achieve progress and development,” he said.
The King then pounded rice with a traditional pestle to launch the Open House.
For the event, which was broadcast live on RTM1, the main stage of the Amphi- theatre was transformed into an Iban longhouse, flanked on either side by a Bidayuh baruk (headhouse) and Orang Ulu longhouse.
The stage was lavishly decorated with native elements like pua kumbu hangings, woven mats, a notched-log staircase and a bamboo bridge.
It was the perfect setting for the night’s highlight, a musical drama about an Iban warrior who seeks fame, fortune and adventure to win the heart and hand of his love.
Called Penatai Petara or “Coming of the Gods”, the drama was specially created for the King and Queen and featured over 200 dancers and musicians from the Sarawak Cultural Village and the Dayak Cultural Foundation.
The Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and Iban communities then performed their traditional dances as well as modern pop songs in their own languages.
A fashion parade by 12 beauties from each ethnic group dressed in their traditional costumes was also featured.
Well-known singers including the Kuching-born artiste Deja Moss, Malay- sian Idol finalist Saiful and Bob from Akademi Fantasia also entertained the 10,000-strong crowd.
The Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu communities feted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid with traditional songs, music and dances.
Also present were Sarawak Governor Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng, his wife Toh Puan Norkiah, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu and other Federal and state dignitaries.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in his speech read out by Dr Rais, said the Government would continue to celebrate the festivals of the different races in the country.
“This doesn’t mean that we are sharing our beliefs or religions but is a sign of our tolerance for Malaysians of another race and religion.
“It proves that all Malaysians can live together in peace and harmony to achieve progress and development,” he said.
The King then pounded rice with a traditional pestle to launch the Open House.
For the event, which was broadcast live on RTM1, the main stage of the Amphi- theatre was transformed into an Iban longhouse, flanked on either side by a Bidayuh baruk (headhouse) and Orang Ulu longhouse.
The stage was lavishly decorated with native elements like pua kumbu hangings, woven mats, a notched-log staircase and a bamboo bridge.
It was the perfect setting for the night’s highlight, a musical drama about an Iban warrior who seeks fame, fortune and adventure to win the heart and hand of his love.
Called Penatai Petara or “Coming of the Gods”, the drama was specially created for the King and Queen and featured over 200 dancers and musicians from the Sarawak Cultural Village and the Dayak Cultural Foundation.
The Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and Iban communities then performed their traditional dances as well as modern pop songs in their own languages.
A fashion parade by 12 beauties from each ethnic group dressed in their traditional costumes was also featured.
Well-known singers including the Kuching-born artiste Deja Moss, Malay- sian Idol finalist Saiful and Bob from Akademi Fantasia also entertained the 10,000-strong crowd.
Source: The Star
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