Tra Zehnder

One of the many significant contribution of Tra to the Dayak community and the state today was her untiring efforts to get the annual Gawai Dayak recognized as an official celebration.

She had wanted June 1st of every year to be set aside to be called Dayak Day in recognition of the Dayaks’ existence in the state. - Thus, we our Gawai Dayak celebrated on the 1st June of every year. 

So, as long as there's Gawai Dayak, her name shall be remembered.

Tra Zehnder @ Philomena Tra was born Tra in Miri on Oct 25, 1926 to Inting Jemat (ex-police) and Sara Unang, both Ibans from Simanggang (Sri Aman) division.

An inspiration of every women, champion of the women's right, Tra was the first in almost everything. To name a few...

Tra was first lady member of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), known as Council Negeri back then. She served from 1960 till 1963.

She was also the first woman Temenggong in the state following her appointment as Iban Temenggong of the First Division (Kuching) from July 1988 till February 1996.

Tra was also the first woman to head the Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak, from March 1996 to 2002. She play a very significant role in the filing of Iban Customary Law (Tusun Tunggu)

In May 1957, she founded the Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) and served as honorary secretary till 1960 before being appointed president from 1964-1966.

Her name was listed among those who responsible for the success of the "Sarawak-Sabah-Malaya Form Malaysia" 

In 1962, she represented the Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) at the Cobbold Commission meeting.

In August 1962, she represent SDNU to attend the meeting with Lord Landsdown (Inter-Government Committee)

She'd also represent SDNU at the meeting of United Nation (Nara Simhan) in 1963.

To list down the contributions of Dato' Sri Tra Zehnder to Iban specifically and Sarawak in general would be a book. 

Thanks God that Dato’ Sri Tra Zehnder witnessed the launching of her book which titled after her name on the 14th of July. She was honoured with the publication of her biography that depicts her life and career as one of the prominent politicians of her time.

IT seems almost poetic that Dato Sri Tra Zehnder returned to the Lord yesterday, July 22 2011.

Although she has made history by being a first in many things, she will ultimately be remembered as an Iban woman patriot in Sarawak, the Mother of Hari Gawai, and the Mother of Sarawak Politics.

May you also rest in eternal peace in the loving arms of our Father in Heaven Dato Sri. And may Sarawakians never ever forget what you have achieved for our beloved State.

God be with you. Amen.

Datuk Sri Tra Zehnder (25.10.1926 - 22.07.2011)

Tra Zehnder @ Philomena Tra ak Jemat

Ada kena 25 haribulan 10 taun 1926 ba Miri

Salah siku orang ke nengkebang Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) ~ Mei 1957

Sapit Presiden, Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) ~ ari taun 1981 datai ka taun 1990

Indu ti keterubah nyadi raban kusin negri (Dewan Undangan Negeri - DUN) ~ ari taun 1960 datai ka taun 1963

Enggau orang ngambi bagi menyadika menua Malaysia:

1. Ngari ka SDNU dalam kaul ka betemu enggau Cobbold Commission ~ Februari 1962

2. Ngarika SDNU dalam kaul ka betemu dengan Lord Landsdown (Inter-Government Committee) ~ Ogos 1962

3. Ngarika SDNU dalam kaul ka betemu enggau pengari Persatuan Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) (Nara Simhan) ~ 1963

Tuai sayap indu Sarawak National Party (SNAP)– ari taun 1969 datai ka Julai 1983

Tuai sayap indu Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS)– ari September 1983 datai ka April 1988

Indu ti keterubah dipaduka nyadi Temenggong (Sitak Kuching) ~ ari Julai 1988 datai ka Februari 1996

Indu ti keterubah dipaduka nyadi Ketua Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak ~ Mac 1996