KUCHING: Sarawak, often celebrated as the land of harmony, stands as a shining example of unity amidst diversity, where people of different ethnicities, cultures and faiths coexist in mutual respect.
This Christmas season, Sarawakians of all beliefs continue the cherished tradition of coming together to celebrate and share joy, showcasing a spirit of unity that serves as a beacon for the rest of Malaysia’s multiethnic and multi-religious society.
According to a Fellow of the Academy of Science Malaysia (ASM), Datuk Dr Jayum Jawan, who is also a member of the National Unity Advisory Council (NUAC), for the Dayak Christians in Sarawak, Christmas is a significant time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
“It is more than just a festive occasion; it is a time to renew faith, strengthen family bonds, and foster fellowship with relatives and friends.
“The Dayak Christians do not ‘pulai ke rumah panjai’ on this occasion; this popular ‘balik kampong’ (returning to the village) Malaysian tradition is not a phenomenon associated with Christmas.
“Dayak Christians may “pulai rumah panjai” during this occasion because “rumah panjai” is their only ‘loci’, but for Gawai Dayak, ‘pulai ke rumah panjai’ is, when possible, mandated because the context of Gawai Dayak celebration requires such ‘loci’ or setting for it to be meaningfully celebrated,” he said in a media statement.
Additionally, Dr Jayum said the Dayak Christians, now spread across the globe, celebrate Christmas with family meals on Christmas Eve, midnight mass, and the Malaysian tradition of ‘Ngabang Christmas’, where they welcome friends and relatives to share festive greetings.
“With many changes and progresses in the last few decades, Dayak Christians are now all over the place.
“Thus, Christmas family gatherings could be held in places such as the Klang Valley, Melbourne, Auckland, London, Paris, New York and Los Angeles and on this momentous occasion, the family meal on Christmas Eve is significant, after which many would attend the mid-night mass, worship and the welcoming of Christmas day.
“In Malaysia, it has become a tradition for Christians to hold ‘Ngabang Christmas’ or Christmas Open House, and this is when Christians receive visits from their relatives and friends who come to wish each other ‘Merry Christmas’,” he added.
Furthermore, he said that Christmas is a religious celebration of faith and renewal, marking the birth of Jesus Christ and honouring the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
“Christmas is indeed a religious celebration, marking the coming of Christ many centuries ago who came to ‘free’ the human spirit from chains, washed away their worldly sins and prepared them for lives here and everlasting.
“Thus, celebrating Christmas is celebrating the undying love of the Father for His children, the fellowship of mankind through Jesus Christ, and the blessing by the Holy Spirit. Any other interpretations to the contrary border on blasphemy and show the person’s lack of theological understanding,” he said.
