KUCHING: The 2024 Gawai Dayak Parade ‘Niti Daun’ held at Kuching Waterfront here featured 111 contingents and over 3,000 participants proudly showcasing the rich heritage of their respective cultures.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas praised the event for its excellent representation of Sarawak’s diverse races and religions.
He highlighted the unity displayed during the celebration of Hari Gawai by people from all backgrounds, demonstrating Sarawak’s commitment to harmony and inclusivity.
“We also saw Unit for Other Religious (UNIFOR) with three teams, bringing together all the non-Muslim religious groups.
“This event is indeed a blessing, and we would like to thank Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for witnessing it.
“Despite the rain, participants remained in high spirits. I also thank Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn for organising this successful event,” he told reporters after the event.
Joining the parade earlier were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, federal Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Stephen Rundi Utom and Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang.
Uggah also commended participants for their resilience in enduring the heat and rain.
“This is the spirit of Sarawakians as we move towards 2030, strengthening our unity, racial, and religious harmony.
“Regardless of the conditions, we will remain united and motivated to see Sarawak become a developed state,” he added.
The parade commenced at 2 pm from the Tun Jugah Foundation building and proceeded to the Kuching Waterfront. It kicked off with a ‘Pisien’ ritual by Bidayuh Pagan community, intended to offer offerings to the ancestral spirits or e-yeng
It concluded with a traditional ritual dance ‘Gawea Sowa,’ performed by the Bidayuh Bau community from the Jagoi/Bratak tribe.
Regarding the parade’s winning contingents, in the non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Association Category (Bidayuh), winners are Kampung Tetamu Recreation Club in the first place, followed by Singai Bau Traditional Inheritors Association in second place, and Dayak Bidayuh National Association’s (DBNA) Serapi Branch in third place.
In the NGO/Association Category (Iban), the top spot was claimed by Raban Betong 2024. Serakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) secured second place, while Kebudayaan Dayak Bumi Kenyalang came in third.
For the NGO/Association Category (Orang Ulu), the winners are Sarawak Kenyah National Association in first place, Sarawak Kayan Association Kuching Branch in second place, and Sarawak Kayan Women’s Association in third place.
In the Various Categories, which include ministry departments, statutory bodies, private, and government-linked companies, Sarawak Department of Agriculture Club emerged as the winner. Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Sarawak took second place, and RRD Bujang Berani finished in third place.
