Grandy Mina Mihim, winner of the Dayung Tematu 2016 beauty pageant.
Speaking during the festival held at the village’s community hall recently, he believed that outsiders, especially tourists would find the event interesting as its rich display of Bidayuh culture is not a common sight in the state.
Apart from that, he too opined that more tourists coming to the village would also generate income for the villagers through their sale of cultural products.
“Turning Kampung Tematu gawai festival into a tourism event is definitely good for the villagers as they are able to generate income from it. One of the things which can help them is the opening of Dayak related booths selling various local food, handicrafts and other Dayak-related items,” he added.
Echoeing Lo’s statement was Kampung Tematu gawai festival coordinating chairman John Pata who was grateful that their assemblyman wanted to see the event become an annual tourism attraction for Kuching area.
He assured that the villagers always welcomed visitors to their village every time they organised the gawai festival.
“Gawai is a festival for happiness and celebration and it has always been our intention to share our happiness with everyone. We are also ready to accept tourists coming to visit us at our village every time the festival is being held here in our village,” he said.
The highlight of the festival was the Dayung Tematu 2016 beauty pageant which also took place at village hall.
Grandy Mina Mihim was adjudged winner of the contest while Filicia Majo and Sandra Shindon Dempi were first and second runner-up respectively.
“I had a great experience taking part in this unique contest. Not only that I was crowned winner, I am also proud that I took part in a contest that promotes Dayak culture,” she commented.
For her achievement, she would like to thank her family, friends and all who supported her in taking part in the competition.
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