Hari Gawai Festival Celebrated At OMPH Church

Hari Gawai at OMPH Church

Our Mother of Perpetual Help (OMPH) Church celebrated Hari Gawai Dayak and Kotobian Tadau Kaamatan or the Harvest festival on July 26. 

Unlike previous years it was it was celebrated on a more elaborate scale and it was a wonderful morning of worship, music and dance as the community of east Malaysians showcased their culture.

Although called differently in Sabah and Sarawak it means a Harvest festival and is celebrated on a grand scale filled with much singing and dancing.

It was just as interesting here where the duration of the festivities was half a day.  

7.50 am a traditional before the start of mass dance to welcome the congregation

It began at 7.50 am before the Sunday mass with a dance to welcome the congregation. Performed by the young of the community it was well received judging by the genuine smiles and claps of appreciation from the congregation.

The youth of the community made up the commentators, lectors and choir

There was so much culture showcased in one morning. The early welcoming dance and the performance of the dance Ngajat Iban with feathers, headgear and shield during the Offertory was an eye opener. Later at the parish hall their traditional dance attracted senior citizens from the Simee old folks home to get up to dance.  

The dance Ngajat Iban performed during the Offertory at Harvest festival mass (video credit: Mary Toh/ BEC area 25)

Organiser Joseph Long said the community was small but everyone played their part to make the event joyful.

The east Malaysians of OMPH Parish consist mainly of the army Rangers, the police at Ulu Kinta Field Force camp, the two consisting of less than 60 families and students from the Sultan Azlan Shah Allied Health Science college (KSKBSAS) at Tanjong Rambutan.

They made up the commentator, choir and lectors for the mass and for the event organized the food and drinks including the traditional rice wine Tuak which was served to all present.

Parish priest Fr Patrick Massang said the morning mass and later blessed the event held in the Parish hall.

Beautiful dance Ngajat Iban 

Fr Massang blesses the event and the food  ...

Traditional rice wine Tuak was served to all present

All dance the traditional dance including the residents of Simee Old Folks Home

  

The final dance saw everyone joining in the fun 

(l-r) Identify the dress. first pair are Bidayuh, 2nd are Iban and the rest are Dusun

Smiles from the 'Lands below the Wind'

We are East Malaysians (l) Dimthy family. from right Dimthy, Betsy, Delcy, Devney and Davy (r) Petris family. (from left) Max. Maria, Petris and Cassandra

A small community but big in spirit can make a truly wonderful cultural event.

JAG