DARO: Semop constituency is set to host a series of nine Gawai Festival celebrations, bringing together nearly 50 longhouses.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department, Datuk Abdullah Saidol, who is also the Semop assemblyman, announced that these festivities aim to foster unity among the Iban community.
According to him, the six Gawai ceremonies held in Selidap/Nangga Bangkit (six longhouses), Sg. Sian (six longhouses), Muara Bunut (two longhouses), Berangan (six longhouses), Teluk Gelam (three longhouses), and Bekakong (61 doors) were successfully organised.
During the programme today (June 17), a vibrant Gawai programme with the theme “Gawai Perpaduan” took place at Rumah Panjang Jinga, Sungai Kelai. This celebration was important for the Iban community as it is their only settlement in Pulau Bruit.
Pulau Bruit boasts 13 settlements predominantly inhabited by the Melanau community, making the longhouse a unique settlement for the community.
Abdullah said, in light of Sarawak’s 60 years of Independence, a grand Gawai ceremony was held there this year to invite community members and village leaders from neighbouring villages to partake in the festivity and enliven the longhouse celebration.
In addition to that, a Gawai Carnival is scheduled for June 24 at the Iban settlement in Mupong, bringing 14 longhouses together.
He said, this one-day carnival promises to be an even more joyous occasion, coinciding with the completion of a tar road construction project that facilitates accessibility to most longhouses in the area.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has been invited to officiate at the Gawai Carnival.
