By Nathan Achuk & Charles Molujin
BAU — On 8 June 2024, more than 700 parishioners from the 49 churches that make up the St Stephen’s parish flocked to the Church wearing traditional Bidayuh costumes to celebrate this year’s annual Gawai Mass celebration.
The Mass in Bidayuh was presided by Fr Augustine Jepy together with Fr Paul Herry and Parish Rector Fr Peter Liston at an altar that had been decorated with Bidayuh traditional items.
The entrance procession was led by dancers clad in traditional costumes accompanied by hymns in Bidayuh and resonating sounds of gongs performed by parishioners from St Lawrence Ruiz’s Church, Kampung Suba Buan.
Food and drinks prepared by the 10 churches within the Bratak Zone were served at Father Joachim Pang’s Hall. Traditional Bidayuh performances and karaoke performances coloured the evening.
The Gawai celebration brought members of the 10 churches from the Bratak Zone together in preparing for the event.
Also present during the celebration were Sisters and seminarians from St Peter’s College, Kuching.
