Taking Dayak culture to the world.

By YU JI
yuji@the.star.com.my Photos by ANDRE OLIVEIRO www.thestar.com.my

FIFTEEN semi-finalists have been selected to participate at this year’s Kuching-level Kumang Gawai which will be held on May 15.

This Dayak-based beauty pageant, which is limited to Ibans this time, will be the highlight of the Sarawak Dayak National Union’s (SDNU) Gawai dinner celebration later this week.

Fifteen in a row: The Kumang Gawai contestant going for the final round in Kuching.

SDNU has decided that the winning beauty queen will be adopted as its ambassador.

At the semi-final yesterday afternoon, five contestants were eliminated, while Universiti Malaysia Sarawak student Ethel Lampai Ringgit emerged as the forerunner.

While most of the contestants said they would promote Dayak culture as a priority, Ethel had a more socially-conscious message.

“If I win at the final, I will advocate better education for all,” said Ethel, who is studying Mass Communications.

“I’m very sentimental and I feel very strongly that every child deserves to be well educated. I think, if Sarawak is to become a highly productive state, it will primarily depend on its human capita.”

She said that education would also be the best way to preserve Dayak culture.

“Yes, of course education will decrease poverty, but at the same time, a more educated community will be better at conserving its cultures.”

In anticipation: The semi-finalists at the start of the event yesterday.

On emerging with top scores at yesterday’s event, Ethel told StarMetrothat the event was the most memorable Mother’s Day for her.

The pageant’s winner will receive RM5,000 besides the ambassadorship.

SDNU’s Gawai celebration this year will be the largest since the organisation was founded 53 years ago, said its publicity officer Dr Dusit Jaul.

“More than 1,000 Sarawakians will attend our gala event and this year’s Kumang Gawai pageant received the most number of applicants,” he said.

Meanwhile, the beauty pageant’s main organiser Senorita Linang said she hoped the finalists would be better prepared in public-speaking skills.

“Communication is an important tool in today’s society,” she said.

“That’s why 20% of the judging criteria is based on speaking ability. At the very least, they should be able to speak English and Bahasa Malaysia fluently.”

“Poise and personality cover another 30% while the rest depends on beauty,” she said.

“We believe that beauty pageants are among the best ways to showcase our Dayak culture to a wider audience,” Senorita added.

“For example, most past Kumang Gawai winners have been asked to participate at national-level Gawai open-house events. Everyone likes to look at pretty girls in pretty costumes,” she said.