Saturday, June 13, 2009

Colourful national Gawai open house


KUCHING: Sarawak’s Dayak communities put on a colourful display to celebrate the national Gawai Open House at the Indoor Stadium here Saturday night.

Head of State Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak joined thousands of spectators to witness a cultural showcase of music, dance and drama.

Themed 1Malaysia: Segulai Sejalai (Together in Unity), the festivities kicked off with Gawai songs by six Dayak singers comprising two each from the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu communities.

They were accompanied on stage by beauty queens from each community, respectively known as Kumang (Iban), Dayung Temengun (Bidayuh) and Keligit (Orang Ulu).

Dancers from the Dayak Cultural Foundation then performed the Bidayuh “Ngabang Gawai”, Iban “Ajat Nyambut Tuah Gawai” and Orang Ulu “Kajen Ngelamei Dau Gawai” dances.

The highlight of the evening was a musical drama, “Simpang Impang”, which told the story of a legendary Iban farmer’s efforts to safeguard his rice harvest from mice and sparrows. The 15-minute drama was performed by artistes from the Sarawak Cultural Village.

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