By Jude De’Rozario
KUCHING — Gawai Dayak 2024 at the Chapel of Mother Mary, Stutong level came to a close with the Ngiling Bidai ceremony held on 29 June 2024.
The event was joyously attended by its parishioners accompanied by its rector, Msgr William Sabang along with Archbishop Emeritus Peter Chung, Fr Albert Jacobse, MHM and Fr Martin Wong.
This year’s Ranyai tree had a different twist; aside from the normal “goodies” hung on the tree, a new acculturation was adopted with the addition of a bamboo Cross placed at the top of the tree, and cards with writings of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit hanging from the branches. A Holy Bible was placed at the side of the tree as an enthronement of the Bible.
The event came to a close with the cutting of the Ranyai tree by Msgr William. He was then accompanied by the Organising Chairperson, Juliana De Rozario, and Jude De Rozario, the Chapel’s Chairperson, in the mat-rolling, a symbolic gesture signalling the end of the Gawai Dayak Celebration.
