Festival serving as a unifying factor

AI Summary

The Gawai Dayak festival's origins are explored, focusing on the desire for a unifying cultural celebration for the Dayak community, particularly in Kuching. Dato Sri Tra Zehnder, the first Iban woman legislator, highlighted the lack of a reciprocal celebratory day for Dayaks compared to other communities. During the colonial period, Dayak intellectuals and activists in Kuching, including Michael Buma and others, began advocating for a more traditional and cultural festival, distinct from religious observances.