The price of pork has gone up by manifolds. About 10 years ago I bought half a pig (stored in one big cooler box) and brought it across the Brunei border to Ulu Limbang by road. It weighed about 30 kg and the price was roughly RM400 from our favourite butcher Mr. Yii in Miri. The pork was nicely sliced and packed and when we bbq it in the longhouse, we had a good Gawai about half a day later.
The meat was food for so many people over a few days, and the resulting smoked meat was delicious and memorable. Lots of the bits and pieces became finger food with beer, to the delight of many.
This year, due to the covid, we cannot celebrate in the old style. Moreover the price of pork has gone up to RM33 per kg. So 3o kg would be roughly RM1000.00 mind you.
On 31st, May, the eve of the Gawai, we made a visit to Rumah Changgai , 2 hours drive away to have a small family dinner with Marin and Indai Epis on 31st May 2022.
The drive from Miri along the coastal road was pleasant, but hot and dusty. However the Vios gave us good air conditioning.
The Longhouse Block B, was in the throes of Gawai preparation. Everyone was preparing food at the back of the longhouse for the 8 o'clock FOOD Sharing at the RUAI or common room. The traditional kumang gawai competition was again cancelled and programmes were made simple: the Tuai Rumah Changgai anak Dali lives in Block A and every body decided that toasting with tuak was by groups of 10 families. This system would cut short the time of toasting in the new "year" and the merry making and the beating of the gendang would not go beyond Midnight. The Tuai Rumah and the main committee members would be able to make their complete round even before midnight.
Cooked food would be placed on the RUAI for all to share by 8 Oclock...and "every one be at Ruai please!!"...according to the programme. The PA system in the two blocks is working very well.
The longhouse has both solar and Sarawak Energy electricity now. So they are all well lit up.
Before the sunset, my friend Julie and I went to visit cousins and other relatives, and had some food tasting too. There were new dishes from the younger urbanites who have come back for the Gawai. The older folks continue to smoke their meat on the iconic diesel drum.
It was a lovely twilight and happy hours for us.
Chickens were still slaughtered in the old always. I am glad my relatives are still raising their own chicken and ducks. Prices in the long houses are still low and I think that is really good system of economy. Keep the prices down and children and old people get to eat good food. There wont be any malnutrition.
The Longhouse is slowly growing and taking shape, mainly by gotong royong. Rumah Changgai is doing well in the 21st century. When it was its old self, in the old name of Rumah Ranggong it went through many stages of development and historical episodes.
May the elders who have gone to Heaven rest in Peace.
Gawai is a time for good will and great camaraderie but with the covid virus still lurking around, we are all helping each other to stay safe, stay well.
All best wishes and Be Healthy.
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