MIRI: Some 3,000 people converged on Kampung Pejuang Kelulit, Bekenu recently for a Kedayan-style thanksgiving ceremony called ‘Majlis Makan Tahun Perdana 2014’.
Kedayan community leaders (in black attire) wait for the arrival of the Head of State.
The cultural activities brought colour and merriment to the village famous for its ‘buah petai’.
Early Childhood Education and Family Development Assistant Minister Rosey Yunus said the event was organised by Kedayan Association of Sibuti in collaboration with Miri Resident’s Office.
Rosey who is also advisor to the Kedayan Association of Sibuti said it was an honour for the Kedayan community in Sibuti as the thanksgiving ceremony was officiated by Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
She said the Makan Tahun was an event celebrated by the Kedayan community and held after the harvesting season.
The Makan Tahun was normally conducted in two days with the villagers holding a feast on the first day followed by a ritual such as Tahlil the next day.
The villagers are using a tonne of rice to prepare 20,000 pieces of Kelupis or rice rolls wrapped in ‘daun irek’ as well as various delicacies for guests.
There were also cultural presentations such as bergendang and bermukun, top spinning, singing, lucky draw and many others.
During the event, the Head of State launched a Kedayan dictionary project.