01/06/2025

ON SUNDAY JUNE 1, 2025 theSunday Special IV

R ¾öŽũϞłϰ÷ľ¾ěßö¾Ŋüãľϰό ĐÿύϰÙĢěßŏÙŊÿě÷ϰ¾ϰľÿŊŏ¾ēϰÙ¾ēēãßϰ Biau Tajau λϰˆüã tajau ϰόČ¾ľύϰÿłϰŊüãϰłũęØĢēϰĢöϰ ţã¾ēŊüλϰ8¾ęÿēÿãłϰţüĢϰĻĢłłãłłãßϰ tajau ϰ¾ľãϰł¾ÿßϰŊĢϰØãϰłŏÙÙãłłöŏēϰĻ¾ßßũϰö¾ľęãľłλ

R ¾öŽũϰ¾ěßϰö¾ęÿēũϰŢÿłÿŊÿě÷ϰ¾ěĢŊüãľϰēĢě÷üĢŏłãλϰ|ã¾ēϰüŏę¾ěϰłĐŏēēłϰü¾ě÷ÿě÷ϰ¾ØĢŢãϰŊüãϰÙãÿēÿě÷λ

Gawai away from home Having celebrated Gawai away from home PDQ\ WLPHV 5D̈ \ QRWHV WKDW ZKLOH LW¶V QRW the same as being in a longhouse, the spirit of togetherness lives on. “Events like the Borneo Native Festival (BNF) at Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, help keep the culture alive. As the biggest annual gathering of Borneans in Penin sular Malaysia, BNF features traditional food, tuak , performances and cultural showcases. “For those missing the vibe of Rumah Asap or Sarawak-style smokehouse hang RXWV $VDS E\ /\H R̆ HUV DQ DXWKHQWLF WDVWH of home. Its Kelabit head chef serves up some of the most authentic Sarawakian cuisine in the Klang Valley.” Evolving traditions While modernisation and technology have changed how Gawai is celebrated, its essence remains unchanged. In the past, Gawai was deeply rooted in longhouse rituals led by elders and spiritual leaders, with a strong presence of customs like miring R̆ HULQJ FHUHPRQLHV FKDQWV DQG symbolic rites that tied people to the land and their ancestors. As many Dayak communities have since embraced Christianity, church services and prayers are now part of the celebra tion. Still, younger generations continue to honour their roots through music, dance, cooking, storytelling and rituals like ai pengayu . “As a tuak maker, being part of this continuity is both a privilege and a respon VLELOLW\ *DZDL WRGD\ PD\ ORRN GL̆ HUHQW from decades ago, but the spirit behind it continues to thrive. Social media and

technology have helped us stay connected to our roots in the Bornean diaspora, HVSHFLDOO\ ZKHQ ZH FDQ¶W EH EDFN KRPH We can now share greetings, showcase traditional attire and even livestream FXOWXUDO SHUIRUPDQFHV ´ 5D̈ \ VDLG Art, identity and remembrance For M. Sahzy, a Kuching-born artist who works with discarded jungle materi als, Gawai is more than a celebration of FXOWXUH DQG FRPPXQLW\ LW¶V DOVR D GD\ RI remembrance. “It reminds me of our roots – how we dress, how we cook, how we speak and how deeply connected we are to our environment. These are also the inspira tion for my artworks.” Like Hari Raya or Chinese New Year, Gawai can and should be celebrated beyond Sarawak. Introducing it into schools, public events and national cam paigns would create greater visibility and understanding of its deeper meaning. More Gawai open houses in cities would encourage inclusivity and appreciation from non-Borneans. Food, music and cultural performances are great ways to start, but we need to amplify the voices of the Bornean people and give them space to tell their stories. When people understand the meaning EHKLQG *DZDL WKH\¶UH PRUH OLNHO\ WR connect with, respect and celebrate it like any other major festival in Malaysia. “Gawai may not be a national holiday, EXW LW¶V D PHDQLQJIXO FHOHEUDWLRQ IRU 6DU awakians and the many ethnic groups who observe it. Showcasing Sarawakian talents through music, art and crafts in KLJK WUḊ F DUHDV DFURVV :HVW 0DOD\VLD

would go a long way. Support local Gawai events and learn more about our cultural SUDFWLFHV 7KDW PHDQV D ORW WR XV ,¶YH RIWHQ been away on international projects in UHFHQW \HDUV DQG KDYHQ¶W DOZD\V PDGH LW KRPH LQ WLPH IRU *DZDL 7KDW KDVQ¶W stopped me from celebrating wherever I am. Sometimes, all it takes is a cheerful shout of ‘Ohaaaa!’ to feel at home,” shared Sahzy with a smile. Sahzy is working on a large-scale instal lation in conjunction with Gawai that

celebrates culture and nature. The artwork will tell stories rooted in Sarawakian heritage and its deep connection to the QDWXUDO ZRUOG (̆ RUWV OLNH WKHVH PDLQO\ when driven by artists and supported by youth, play a crucial role in preserving and reviving forgotten traditions. “Many young people today are on their own form of berjalai – seeking growth and new opportunities. We should recognise their journey and celebrate the pride they carry in their roots,” he added.

R ¾öŽũϰ¾ěßϰöľÿãěßłϰŊĢ¾łŊμϰţÿłüÿě÷ϰã¾ÙüϰĢŊüãľϰ¾ϰēĢě÷ϰēÿöãϰ¾ěßϰĻľĢłĻãľÿŊũλ