Bintulu - The Malam Ngiling Bidai Gawai Dayak 2007 was a closing event for the celebration of Hari Gawai that was celebrated by the Dayak community in Sarawak.

YBhg. Prof. Dr. Azali bin Mohamed, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Students' Affairs and Alumni) represented YBhg. Prof. Datuk Vice Chancellor to the Malam Ngiling Bidai Gawai Dayak at the Bintulu UPM Campus, Sarawak, on 28 July 2007. The ceremony that lasted for three hours was the first ever being organized by UPMKB and officiated by YB Dr. Stephen Rundi Anak Utom, whom represented YB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Alfred Jabu Anak Numpang, the Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister.



The cultural ceremony began with Miring and followed by Bebiau. Miring is an event to represent food to the gods or spirits by humming spiritual words and slaughtering a cock. Bebiau, on the other hand, is an event to pray for a good life, to say gratitude and to give acknowledgement to the guests for attending the ceremony. Parap is a traditional Ulu folks' song that welcomes guests on Hari Gawai. Once the officiating ceremony ended, guests were being treated to a variety feast of food from the ethnics of Iban, Kayan, Kenyah, Punan and Ulu.



In his speech, YB Dr. Stephen Rundi Anak Utom complimented UPM Bintulu Campus for organizing such a memorable event in a way to show the university's appreciation and acknowledgement to the Sarawakians' contribution in developing University Putra Malaysia at Bintulu campus. He added, the state government was overly concerned with any effort on integration and better cooperation among different races and religions through any cultural and arts activities.



Earlier, YBhg. Prof. Dr. Azali bin Mohamed said Malam Ngiling Bidai Gawai Dayak 2007 will definitely strengthen national integration and portray the importance of any ethnic's celebration in maintaining the country's unity. He added, this programme will also able to generate respect to others and ensure the harmonious environment among the UPMKB community. In the ceremony, YBhg. Prof. Azali Mohamed was being given the honour to join the Ngerebah ka Ranyai event which is to show the dancing skills of ngajat/bertanda before the cutting of ranyai fruit (such as fruits, biscuits, etc.)



Among the cultural presentation during the ceremony was a traditional song from (Parap) orang Ulu, Kayan traditional dance, Iban, Punan, Bidayuh, Ngerebah ka Ranyai and the symbolic events of Ngiling Bidai and Pekit Kumang.



YB Datuk Haji Talib Zulpilip (ADUN N58 Jepak), YB Senator Datuk Hii Tiong Kuoh, YB En. John Sikie Anak Penghulu Tayai (ADUN N53 Kakus) and Prof. Dato’ Dr. Nik Muhamad Nik Ab. Majid were also there. More than one thousand guests including UPMKB students attended the ceremony.