Tuesday, June 04, 2013

Online videos to feature Pesta Kaamatan and Gawai traditions


KUCHING: Petronas will create a series of ‘webisodes’ (online video series) that captures the vibrant national heritage of Borneo’s two best known festivals, the Pesta Kaamatan and Gawai Dayak, to promote the festivals among fellow Malaysians.

Each online video follows the daily lives of the communities in Sabah and Sarawak as they go about preparing for  the Kaamatan and Gawai – from the gathering of food and communal preparation of traditional dishes to the mesmerising dances and much anticipated beauty pageants.

This rare insight into the lives of East Malaysians provides a refreshing perspective that will enthral and educate many Malaysians who may never have tasted ‘vinolu’, chicken stuffed into bamboo and cooked over a fire, or danced the ‘ngajat’ that is performed in celebration of the Gawai harvest festival with elaborate headgear to a hypnotic percussion.

“Petronas has always sought to bring Malaysians closer together by setting an example through our interaction with the communities we work with and our stakeholders.

“This includes taking the lead in sharing the concept of togetherness and cross-cultural understanding with our stakeholders by being a part of each celebration with them,” said Petronas Group Corporate Affair s Division senior general manager Dato Mohammad Medan Abdullah in a press release.

From the webisodes, viewers will be able to see how East Malaysians celebrate a good harvest while praying for another bountiful one in the future. The webisodes will also feature rare insights into the local beliefs and culture of Sabah and Sarawak.

The webisode series will also feature Petronas’ signature CSR programme, ‘Sentuhan Kasih’, where Petronas’ staff share the spirit of togetherness by reaching out to the less fortunate and celebrate the festivities with the communities.

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