Meeting of cultures in T’ganu

East Malaysian and Indonesian Catholics celebrated KAGAPA (Kaamatan-Gawai- Panen) at the Catholic Mission.

Jun 19, 2014

By Bernard Anthony
East Malaysian and Indonesian Catholics celebrated KAGAPA (Kaamatan-Gawai- Panen) at the Catholic Mission.

Panen is the harvest festival of the Indonesians, whereas Kaamatan and Gawai are the harvest festivals of the Sabahans and Sarawakians. Most of the East Malaysians and Indonesians were from the Police Force and the Universities/ Colleges. Many came dressed in their traditional attire for the celebration.

Fr Phillips Muthu, the parish priest and the only Catholic priest in Terengganu celebrated the Mass. In his homily, Fr Phillips said that in the Eucharist, Jesus prays for us and gives us the Holy Spirit to strengthen us to face our challenges.

He went on to say that there would be many challenges for us. And as Christians, our basic Mission would be to stay close to Jesus so that we can defend and promote unity, promote understanding of different cultures, defend and promote freedom of worship, and protect the poor and the needy.

The University and College students of Terengganu, comprising different cultures from Sabah and Sarawak, put together their talents and organized KAGAPA (Kaamatan-Gawai-Panen) on May 30. After Mass, they held their cultural celebration. Their performances reminded humanity to be thankful to God for all His gifts and to respect every culture and religion. Terengganu Catholic Mission annually celebrates this KAGAPA harvest festival.

One of the student organisers, Martinus, said, ‘The annual celebration of KAGAPA helps us to grow deeper in love and respect for every human person. Our common Father is God Himself, and I pray that there will be real respect for one another’s religion and culture in the country rather than just tolerance.”

Another visitor here said this: “It is good to see the young people working towards and emphasizing unity, which is needed in the country and I hope when our young people become leaders one day, they will put right many things that have hurt the rakyat (citizens)’.

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