Location : Kampung Sapit, Padawan, Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia.
The month of June is always the busiest month of the year for us. Wishing we could multilocate ourselves at different Gawai venues simultaneously. Some events were held in different parts of Sarawak while some across the border in Kalimantan. We attended as many as we possibly could but had to disappoint ourselves in failing some. Kampung Sapit rarely ever held any Gawai events as far as we know and this year was a surprise. We were invited to attend the event which was more political than cultural. It was to officiate the opening of the newly completed village hall and bridge by Datuk Jerip Susil.
The bigger surprise was to notice that the Kampung Sapit ladies came out in full force in their traditional attire and performing their dance.
It was good to see them holding on to whatever traditions they could salvage. Although the baruk is just next to the new hall, no traditional activities have ever been held since God knows when. Let’s hope for some form of revival here although very remote.
