Launched in 2008, The Borneo Hornbill Festival was an event to showcase Sarawak Culture in an inspiring way portraying its raw, original ethnicity and traditions. This was made possible by the Society of Warisan Sarawak Kuala Lumpur and supported by the newly formed Panggau Singai Events Management.
Apart from the ethnic dance and culture, Warisan Sarawak debuted their First Beauty Pageant in 2009 and continued to organize this event successfully. This year 2011, Warisan Sarawak proceed its revolution and promises a bigger and better Hornbill Festival.
The Beauty Pageant mentioned is best known as the "Kumang Gawai", and this year on, a dear friend of mine took the challenge. Im doing this piece as voluntary campaign to support her.
Presenting... Veeky-Leonora Andria. (Kumang Iban N0.05)
UP CLOSE and PERSONAL WITH VEEKY....
I received great response from her when I asked if I can feature her in my blog and I thought an interview would be a good idea...
Hi Veeky, how would you like to start introducing yourself to the readers...
Hi there Mickie
First of all I would like to thank you for supporting this old friend of yours doing this..Hmm..how should I start...
I'm Veeky-Leonora Andria, 29 years young, Iban lass from Kuching. For those who don't know me in person, they might think that I'm cold..but believe me I'm not as cold as you think...like what people would say "Tak kenal maka tak cinta".
So, tell me what do you understand about "Kumang Gawai"? Why is it Special?
Before I move on to what I understand about Kumang Iban let us have a quick history lesson.
Kumang is the most popular and most frequently recounted female in Iban folklore. Kumang is also called Jawai and Sedinang.Kumang is deem by Iban community as THE ideal woman as she is bright, talented, full of wisdom and knowledgeable. She is a role model to her peers, a woman of virtue and courteousness.
She was also known as a master of seamstress and weaver. Possessing such expertise and skills, Kumang was always consulted by fellow women in Gelong and other surrounding territories for advice over weaving and basketry matters.
Therefore the title "Kumang Gawai" as I would understand is the depiction of a perfect Iban woman named after Kumang /Jawai/ Sedinang hence making the title being so special among Iban ladies.
For me it is important that Kumang Gawai competition not to be seen merely as a beauty contest,it is far more than that. Your personality and intelligence is taken into account and yes being beautiful is only a bonus for getting this title.
Can I choose both?
Beauty should come along with brains.
Beauty is subjective and you get the brains as you go through experiences in life..Always believe that you are beautiful even though other might say otherwise. No one is entitled to say that you're not beautiful not even your mother...haha..do not be afraid if you feel that you're not smart enough as getting through experience be it good or bad is THE way to make you smarter and wiser..Therefore Michelle, I must say Beauty and Brain come along side by side..
What have you accomplish in life so far?
Hmm..what about my accomplishment in life? I must say being happy with what I have right now is my accomplishment in life. Even entering this competition is one of my accomplishment I must say. The courage to take up the challenge to be exposed to the public is also an accomplishment to me. It takes courage of steel to take part as not many people would be brave enough to try. Therefore, to all the girls (and guys) joining this competition I would say kudos to you for being able to push yourself apart from showing to the world how beautiful Sarawak culture is.
If you win, what will change? and what would you like to change?
If I win I would like to change people's perspective on Kumang competition that has been misunderstood being just a beauty contest and also I want to re-introduce on how an Iban maiden's costume used to be before the "official" ngepan took place post the World War 2 or known as Indu Dara Insin Temaga.
Participating in this competition really teaches me my roots. Growing up in West Peninsular makes me more "in touch" with my roots along my journey joining this competition. My love for for Sarawak particularly on Iban culture grows even stronger albeit being far away from home. The knowledge gained via books, museums, galleries, antique shops and even friends and my family have always been an enlighting moments for me. Now, I embrace my culture even closer to heart and I do not want to be known as a person who doesn't even know what Iban is.
Thank you for yor time Veeky, finally, any last words for your voters and readers ?
Last but not least, I would like to thank my fans for voting me and hopefully all of you would also be able to embrace your culture as much as you can as history teaches you to act wiser in the future. ....My words to you out there..."You can take a Sarawak Girl out from Sarawak, but you can never take Sarawak out from a Sarawak Girl"....
Thank you.
There you have it guys. Veeky-Leonora Andria (Kumang Iban 05) running for Kumang Gawai 2011.
VOTE FOR VEEKY NOW !
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| **Click to Vote** |
or, click this link to vote : http://www.borneohornbillfestival.com/2011/07/iban05.html?spref=fb
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See Kumang/Keling Lineup @ http://www.borneohornbillfestival.com/2011/07/kumang-and-keling-lineup.html
Learn More about Borneo Hornbill Festival @ http://www.borneohornbillfestival.com/p/about.html
Learn More about Warisan Sarawak @ http://www.warisansarawak.net/v1.0/
***To my family , friends and visitors / readers , thank you for supporting my campaign.***
