In Malaysia, many people in Sarawak still rely on rice planting as their main source of income. This is why the harvest festival is a big thing here, and it’s greatly celebrated up until today. So, if you have Sarawakian friends who celebrate the Sarawak Gawai Festival, and June happens to be just around the corner, don’t forget to wish them Selamat Hari Gawai!
This festival takes place on June 1st, which is made into a public holiday here in Malaysia. This gives the native ethnic groups who celebrate it a chance to go back to their families in Sarawak. From traditional music and performances to open houses and traditional food, there are so many exciting things happening in a Gawai Dayak festival. Dive in to find out more!
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What Is Sarawak Gawai Dayak Festival?
The Gawai Festival, equally known as Hari Gawai or Gawai Dayak, is a major event that honors the end of the rice harvesting season in June. It’s basically a harvest festival celebrated by Sarawak people, welcoming a new year marked by the end of the rice (padi) harvesting season and the beginning of a new farming season. This religious and social festival has been a part of the Sarawakian identity for more than five decades. It’s really just a way for the local community to get together with their families and relatives, celebrate the ‘padi spirit’ for its productive harvest, and pray that the land will continue putting food on the table for many generations to come.
A Closer Look At Gawai Dayak
The word Gawai is originally from the Iban language, which means festival, party, or ritual. The word Dayak, on the other hand, refers to native ethnic groups in Sarawak: the Iban, Bidayuh, Murut, Kayan, and many more.
Similar to other major Malaysian holidays and celebrations, this annual Sarawak Gawai festival signifies a sense of togetherness and unity. You can also think of it as an extended Thanksgiving Day before the new season begins. That means reunions, visiting friends and relatives, and paying respects to the elderly. For Christian Dayaks, attending church mass service plays a big part in the occasion, thanking God for the bountiful harvest. Today, the Sarawak Gawai festival is enjoyed by various ethnicities. The government sets up open houses for the Dayak community in big cities. This year, at the Pusat Konvensyen Borneo Kuching (BCCK), the open house drew about 7,000 people, bringing everyone together and promoting inclusivity in Malaysia.
The Rich Traditions Of Sarawak Gawai Festival
Preparations for Gawai Dayak normally start one month in advance. This particular festival features many fascinating events, including Queen (Kumang) and King (Keling) Gawai pageants, a Long-Life Drink ceremony, and traditional dancing.
Muai Antu Rua On Hari Gawai Eve
On the evening of May 31st, the celebration kicks off as Muai antu rua takes place. It’s a mandatory ritual done to cast away the spirit of bad luck. Unwanted items are collected from families via chapan, a winnowing basket, which is dragged through the longhouse (a long, communal dwelling where many families live together). The items are then tossed to the ground outside of the longhouse to symbolize warding off bad luck.
Then, as the vibrant beats of the ritual music play, families will prepare for the offering ceremony called miring, consisting of food, drinks, and traditional cakes to seek blessings from the gods and pray for a bountiful, peaceful, and prosperous future.
Ngalu Petara To Welcome Spirits
Just before midnight, a dance troop of warriors and young women in tribal costumes welcome the spirit of the gods by going up and down the ruai (an open space in the longhouse). This is called ngalu petara.
Ai Pengayu, A Special Type Of Rice Wine
As the clock strikes 12, a gong goes off, and the longhouse chief leads everyone in drinking ai pengayu (a special type of tuak) while wishing each other gayu guru gerai nyamai, which literally means long life, health, and prosperity. And just so you know, Tuak is one of the reasons why one-month preparations prior to the festival are needed. The brewing of this rice wine can be a work of art. This crucial fermented element of the event is initially glutinous rice that’s been cooked and mixed with yeast before being stored for about one month.
Ngajat, Sarawak’s Traditional Dance
The event gets livelier as the traditional band joins in, and people begin dancing. Some might recite or sing their traditional poems while others perform ngajat, the Iban traditional dance. Fun fact: In Malaysia, Sarawak is widely known as the Land of the Hornbills, and the ngajat dance form drew inspiration from the hornbill, where male and female dancers move precisely yet gracefully, sometimes letting out a battle cry—the atmosphere is definitely a must-have experience! Filled with music and traditional folklore, the laughter and joy of family and friends, and the entertaining performances of ngajat and sword dances.
Ngabang, The Visiting Tradition In Gawai Dayak
On the festival day, the Dayaks open their longhouses to visitors. This tradition, ngabang, involves warmly welcoming guests with a greeting drink called ai tiki, showcasing the community’s hospitality. It’s also the perfect time for families, relatives, and neighbors to catch up after not seeing each other for quite some time.
Showcasing Iban’s Traditional Costume
As the Gawai Dayak celebration approaches, you’ll likely catch glimpses of pageants online, featuring competitions for Kumang Gawai (Queen) and Keling Gawai (King). This is surely one of the highlights of the celebration that everyone looks forward to every year. These contests demand more than just physical beauty. They test one’s cultural knowledge and understanding of the traditions of previous tribes. Participants wear traditional costumes with accessories representing each ethnic group present in Sarawak. It’s impossible to miss the women’s fancy handmade cloth and striking Iban maiden headgear, and the men’s cawat (loin cloth) with peacock feathers on top of their heads.
Sarawak’s Traditional Delicacies
Of course, we’re not missing the highly-demanded food and traditional dishes. Apart from brewing the tuak beforehand, the Sarawakian community gets a little bit busy making traditional delicacies for all to indulge in. The popular festive dishes include manuk pansuh, kuih sarang semut, kuih chuan, laksa sarawak and penyaram.
How Do You Say Harvest Festival In Malay?
In Malay, the Sarawak harvest festival is called Hari Gawai.
The celebration is also called Hari Gawai Dayak or Sarawak Gawai festival.
Important Malay Vocabulary For Sarawak Gawai Festival
Here are some Malay words and phrases related to Sarawak Gawai Festival:
| English | Malay |
|---|---|
| Family | Keluarga |
| Traditional clothes | Pakaian tradisional |
| Harvest season | Musim menuai |
| Longhouse | Rumah panjang |
| Musical instrument | Peralatan muzik |
| Traditional games | Permainan tradisional |
| Rice wine | Tuak |
| Drink | Minum |
| Happy Gawai | Selamat hari gawai |
| Celebration | Keraian |
Frequently Asked Questions About Gawai Dayak Festival
How To Celebrate Gawai?
To celebrate Gawai Dayak like a local, you must go to Sarawak and experience it yourself. Try tuak, learn the ngajat dance, taste the manuk pansuh, and see how different chicken cooked in bamboo logs tastes! Most importantly, you must know how to wish those who are celebrating Selamat Hari Gawai!
What Are The Festivals Of The Iban Community?
To name a few, the Iban people celebrate:
- Gawai Dayak: a two-to-three-day event that celebrates the bountiful harvest and anticipates the next season
- Gawai Nyintu: to honor the health and longevity of individuals
- Gawai Kenyalang: to commemorate bravery and wartime achievements.
- Gawai Antu: to pay homage to departed souls.
What To Say During Sarawak Gawai Festival?
During the Sarawak Gawai festival, you can greet others with these phrases:
- Selamat Hari Gawai: a general greeting wishing others a happy Gawai.
- Gayu guru, gerai nyamai: a traditional greeting expressing wishes for good health, prosperity, and harmony.
- Ari Gawai taja, semua enda madah nyindang: This means “During Gawai, everyone is welcome.” It’s a warm invitation to join in the festivities.
Experience Gawai Dayak Celebrations Like A Local
If you’ve been to Peninsular Malaysia but not Sarawak or Sabah, this is your sign. As a culture rich with a vibrant profile of culture, tradition, and community spirit, Gawai Dayak holds a special place in the hearts of the Dayak people and Malaysians alike. So, mark your calendars, pack your bags, and get ready to experience this like a true Sarawakian.
