Beluru town comes alive as 2,500 people converge for Gawai Dayak open house
MIRI (June 11): Over 2,500 people from all walks of life came to Beluru town last weekend for the Gawai Dayak 2025 open house hosted by Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil.
Held at the Beluru Community Hall from 10am-3pm, the open house saw long lines of visitors who hailed from Bakong, Tinjar, Long Lama, Marudi, Bekenu, Miri and even Limbang.
Among them were Miri Resident Galong Luang, Beluru district officer Charles Aloysius Lisu, community leaders from the Iban, Chinese, Malay and Orang Ulu communities, and others.
Penguang's family, including his four grandchildren who flew in from Kuching, were present to welcome the guests.
Penguang (fourth left) and Monica (third left) pictured during the open house.
The rich cultural heritage of the Iban community was on full display during the open house, with traditional Iban 'miring' and 'bebiau' ceremonies, and 'tuak in a 'jalong' (bamboo) container served to guests.
During the event, 'ngajat' and 'kuntau' performances were exhibited while children also performed the 'gendang pampat' and 'poco-poco'. Further enlivening the event were shows by Iban guest singers.
Penguang's wife Datin Monica Ukong Jaya also took to the floor, performing a 'ngajat' dance, to the crowd's delight. community Gawai Dayak lead open house Penguang Manggil
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