Latest news with #SarawakDayakIbanAssociation
Observer
24-06-2025
- General
- Observer
Malaysia's Dayaks mark rice harvest end with colourful parade
Dressed in colourful costumes, some sporting feathered headgear and traditional swords, several thousand of Malaysia's ethnic Dayak people paraded in the streets of Sarawak state on Borneo island Saturday to celebrate the ending of the rice harvest season. The Gawai Dayak 2025 Parade in state capital Kuching is the only annual gathering by representatives of around 11 of Sarawak's main Dayak groups -- which participants said helps to keep alive a unique part of the Southeast Asian nation's culture. Malaysia's Dayaks mark rice harvest end with colourful parade Marchers gathered from early Saturday under the blistering tropical sun, many of them travelling long distances by bus to walk in the parade along the banks of the Sarawak River. "This gathering is something that is very important to me," said Joel Zacchaeus Anak Ebi, sporting the traditional Iban headgear worn by one of Borneo's best-known tribes. Malaysia's Dayaks mark rice harvest end with colourful parade People "must know and realise that Sarawak has traditions and cultures that must be preserved," he told AFP ahead of the march, which was also attended by Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg. "A day like this brings our people together, especially the younger people, who can easily lose touch with their roots when they move away from Sarawak," said Dayak village elder Ngindang Rambo, 61. Watching the parade, Masha Timosha, 34, a tour guide from Russia, said she was amazed by the costumes and atmosphere. "This is just very impressive. I even have my own Sarawakian costume but I didn't put it on," she told AFP. Malaysia's Dayaks mark rice harvest end with colourful parade Malaysia's Dayak people are mainly riverine and hill-dwelling, made up of dozens of ethnic groups, each with their own distinct dialect, customs, laws and practices. Dayak communities however have become increasingly under threat from encroaching palm oil forestry and industrial logging, human rights groups and Indigenous groups have said. Many Indigenous communities in Sarawak face challenges in accessing basic services, Human Rights Watch said in a statement last month, including access to running water, electricity and land titles. Malaysia's Dayaks mark rice harvest end with colourful parade Local groups and international observers have also called on the government to "urgently legislate Indigenous customs and traditions through which Indigenous people have acquired rights to their lands, territories and resources," the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) said last year. Rainforest-clad Borneo is the world's third-largest island and is shared between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. —AFP
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Malaysia's Dayaks mark rice harvest end with colourful parade
Dressed in colourful costumes, some sporting feathered headgear and traditional swords, several thousand of Malaysia's ethnic Dayak people paraded in the streets of Sarawak state on Borneo island Saturday to celebrate the ending of the rice harvest season. The Gawai Dayak 2025 Parade in state capital Kuching is the only annual gathering by representatives of around 11 of Sarawak's main Dayak groups -- which participants said helps to keep alive a unique part of the Southeast Asian nation's culture. Marchers gathered from early Saturday under the blistering tropical sun, many of them travelling long distances by bus to walk in the parade along the banks of the Sarawak River. "This gathering is something that is very important to me," said Joel Zacchaeus Anak Ebi, sporting the traditional Iban headgear worn by one of Borneo's best-known tribes. People "must know and realise that Sarawak has traditions and cultures that must be preserved," he told AFP ahead of the march, which was also attended by Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg. "A day like this brings our people together, especially the younger people, who can easily lose touch with their roots when they move away from Sarawak," said Dayak village elder Ngindang Rambo, 61. Watching the parade, Masha Timosha, 34, a tour guide from Russia, said she was amazed by the costumes and atmosphere. "This is just very impressive. I even have my own Sarawakian costume but I didn't put it on," she told AFP. Malaysia's Dayak people are mainly riverine and hill-dwelling, made up of dozens of ethnic groups, each with their own distinct dialect, customs, laws and practices. Dayak communities however have become increasingly under threat from encroaching palm oil forestry and industrial logging, human rights groups and Indigenous groups have said. Many Indigenous communities in Sarawak face challenges in accessing basic services, Human Rights Watch said in a statement last month, including access to running water, electricity and land titles. Local groups and international observers have also called on the government to "urgently legislate Indigenous customs and traditions through which Indigenous people have acquired rights to their lands, territories and resources," the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) said last year. Rainforest-clad Borneo is the world's third-largest island and is shared between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. jhe/jfx
France 24
21-06-2025
- General
- France 24
Malaysia's Dayaks mark rice harvest end with colourful parade
The Gawai Dayak 2025 Parade in state capital Kuching is the only annual gathering by representatives of around 11 of Sarawak's main Dayak groups -- which participants said helps to keep alive a unique part of the Southeast Asian nation's culture. Marchers gathered from early Saturday under the blistering tropical sun, many of them travelling long distances by bus to walk in the parade along the banks of the Sarawak River. "This gathering is something that is very important to me," said Joel Zacchaeus Anak Ebi, sporting the traditional Iban headgear worn by one of Borneo's best-known tribes. People "must know and realise that Sarawak has traditions and cultures that must be preserved," he told AFP ahead of the march, which was also attended by Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg. "A day like this brings our people together, especially the younger people, who can easily lose touch with their roots when they move away from Sarawak," said Dayak village elder Ngindang Rambo, 61. Watching the parade, Masha Timosha, 34, a tour guide from Russia, said she was amazed by the costumes and atmosphere. "This is just very impressive. I even have my own Sarawakian costume but I didn't put it on," she told AFP. Malaysia's Dayak people are mainly riverine and hill-dwelling, made up of dozens of ethnic groups, each with their own distinct dialect, customs, laws and practices. Dayak communities however have become increasingly under threat from encroaching palm oil forestry and industrial logging, human rights groups and Indigenous groups have said. Many Indigenous communities in Sarawak face challenges in accessing basic services, Human Rights Watch said in a statement last month, including access to running water, electricity and land titles. Local groups and international observers have also called on the government to "urgently legislate Indigenous customs and traditions through which Indigenous people have acquired rights to their lands, territories and resources," the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) said last year. Rainforest-clad Borneo is the world's third-largest island and is shared between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
Int'l Business Times
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Malaysia's Dayaks Mark Rice Harvest End With Colourful Parade
Dressed in colourful costumes, some sporting feathered headgear and traditional swords, several thousand of Malaysia's ethnic Dayak people paraded in the streets of Sarawak state on Borneo island Saturday to celebrate the ending of the rice harvest season. The Gawai Dayak 2025 Parade in state capital Kuching is the only annual gathering by representatives of around 11 of Sarawak's main Dayak groups -- which participants said helps to keep alive a unique part of the Southeast Asian nation's culture. Marchers gathered from early Saturday under the blistering tropical sun, many of them travelling long distances by bus to walk in the parade along the banks of the Sarawak River. "This gathering is something that is very important to me," said Joel Zacchaeus Anak Ebi, sporting the traditional Iban headgear worn by one of Borneo's best-known tribes. People "must know and realise that Sarawak has traditions and cultures that must be preserved," he told AFP ahead of the march, which was also attended by Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg. "A day like this brings our people together, especially the younger people, who can easily lose touch with their roots when they move away from Sarawak," said Dayak village elder Ngindang Rambo, 61. Watching the parade, Masha Timosha, 34, a tour guide from Russia, said she was amazed by the costumes and atmosphere. "This is just very impressive. I even have my own Sarawakian costume but I didn't put it on," she told AFP. Malaysia's Dayak people are mainly riverine and hill-dwelling, made up of dozens of ethnic groups, each with their own distinct dialect, customs, laws and practices. Dayak communities however have become increasingly under threat from encroaching palm oil forestry and industrial logging, human rights groups and Indigenous groups have said. Many Indigenous communities in Sarawak face challenges in accessing basic services, Human Rights Watch said in a statement last month, including access to running water, electricity and land titles. Local groups and international observers have also called on the government to "urgently legislate Indigenous customs and traditions through which Indigenous people have acquired rights to their lands, territories and resources," the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) said last year. Rainforest-clad Borneo is the world's third-largest island and is shared between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. Indigenous Iban women gather for the Gawai Dayak Culture Parade in Kuching AFP
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Dayaks urged to celebrate Gawai with gratitude, not excessive spending
The 'Pekit Kumang' winners pose for a group photo alongside members of the organising committee.- Ukas photo BINTULU (May 25): The Dayak community should celebrate the upcoming Gawai Dayak festival with gratitude and simplicity, avoiding excessive spending that could become a financial burden, said Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai. Speaking when officiating at the Bintulu Division-level Pre-Gawai Dayak 2025 celebration at a local restaurant yesterday, Sikie emphasised the importance of financial stability after the holidays, especially for families with school-going children or university students who will need funds for education expenses. 'I understand that celebrating Gawai is a joyous occasion for everyone involved. However, I strongly encourage a modest celebration, especially for those with school-going children or those in university who will need funds for education expenses after the Gawai break,' he was quoted as saying in a Sarawak Public Communications Unit report. Sikie, who is Kakus assemblyman, also encouraged the community to use the festive season as an opportunity to reunite with relatives and friends, particularly those living in urban areas. 'After this Pre-Gawai celebration, many will return to their longhouses to celebrate Gawai Dayak properly in their hometowns,' he added. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of unity and future planning among the Dayak community, especially those returning to their longhouses during Gawai. 'For those living in towns like Bintulu, this is the time to reconnect with family. I urge everyone, whether returning home or staying in the longhouse, to come together and plan for their community's development,' he said. The event was jointly organised by four major associations namely the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia), Orang Ulu National Association (Ouna), Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), and Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS). To show appreciation for the organisers' efforts, Sikie announced a RM30,000 contribution to the organising committee. Additionally, Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Port Development Dato Majang Renggi also contributed RM20,000. The event was further enlivened by the 'Pekit Kumang' contest in conjunction with Pre-Gawai Dayak 2025. Delfina Damun Kiran was crowned 'Kumang', taking home RM3,000 along with a crown, a sash, a trophy, finger flowers, and a participation certificate. Second place ('Lulong') went to Amyder Mikey Drake, who received RM2,500, while Zeona Deour Jacob came in third ('Selinggar Matahari') receiving RM2,000, along with other prizes. Dayak community Gawai Dayak John Sikie Tayai lead
