KUCHING: The Gawai Dayak celebration is a major cultural event that has enhanced Malaysia’s tourism industry.
Federal Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said he is delighted and enthusiastic about sharing the wonderful Dayak culture with the world so they would come and visit Sarawak.
He said by allowing tourists to experience this ancient culture in person makes a great touristic potential that enriches the Malaysian tourism experience.
“Many people say they do not know enough about the customs of the Harvest Festival, that the Dayak culture of Sarawak is shrouded in myth and legends to them. Yet, the fertile Bornean land is home to a wealth of ethnic and cultural practices born from its majestic rivers and breathtaking mountains,” he said in a social media post on Gawai eve.
Despite busy schedules and long distances, Tiong said it is a time-honored tradition to visit longhouses for fellowship with Dayak comrades and friends during the Harvest Festival season.
He pointed out that this is also a time for friends and family who are working or studying far abroad to come home and take part in the festivities.
“So, how can I miss this rare opportunity to reunite with friends in celebration? The sincere fellowship I feel in the Dayak community makes me forget all other worries for a brief time when I return to my hometown,” he said.
Tiong encouraged those who are celebrating to open their hearts and hands in friendship to attract tourists to savour the cultural customs and showcase them on an international stage.
“The continued unity of Sarawak’s people, the rich multiculturalism and shared prosperity will be the key to living and working in peace and harmony,” he added.
