As mid-year approaches, the Dayaks are busy preparing to celebrate another year’s harvest. Despite innovations transforming farming into a modern agriculture industry, the festivity continues to thrive. These days, Gawai has become a juxtaposition of cultural heritage and the continued connections between families and friends.
Merrymaking and enjoyment — epitomised by the celebration — alongside the symbolic icons of Gawai Dayak, such as tuak and various foods prepared for the occasion, remain central. Although the festivity is widely celebrated on June 1 every year, preparations start earlier, including purchasing new clothes and, most importantly, getting a new hairdo.
Speaking to five people about their preparations and celebrations for this year’s Gawai Dayak, their answers, though typical, reveal a deep excitement that never falters despite the years.
Tracey Hughes, 32, Bidayuh/Welsh
Sales & Operations Manager
Each year, I balik kampung to Lubok Antu to have a small gathering with my family. We visit one another, and then I go camping as the highlight of the festivity. Since I work full-time, I take it easy by pre-ordering kek lapis for the celebration.
Meldrick Bob, 40, Bidayuh/Iban
Professional Musician, drummer for At Adau
My dad is Bidayuh Singai from Bau, and my mum is Iban from Lubok Antu, Sri Aman. The Gawai celebration this year is a bit different. Normally, we go back to Lubok Antu to celebrate Gawai, but this year we are staying in Bau to celebrate with my cousins and friends. For preparations, I am making lemang and pansoh to bring to Kampung Selampit, Bau, where we will celebrate Gawai with friends and enjoy the Gawai concert.
Philomina Hisnia Albert John, 34, Bidayuh
Graduate in Diploma in Tourism Management
Two days before Gawai, I spend time making some biscuits. We also buy some from stores. On Gawai eve, we go out in the morning to make additional purchases for the festivities. Then at night, we have a barbecue session with family members. On the first two days of Gawai, we host an open house for family and friends to visit.
Bethierista Jedis, 25, Bidayuh,
I usually celebrate Gawai by visiting people’s homes, known as ngabang. This is the perfect time to catch up with family and friends and wish them “Selamat Ari Gawai, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai”. Some preparations I usually do include buying a lot of snacks, biscuits, and other items to bring back to the kampung. My family and I also plan for an open house.
Adriana Terrence, 33, Bidayuh
I had the opportunity to be part of the Borneo Native Festival 2024 held at the Central Market, Kuala Lumpur, on May 26 as a panellist. It was an early celebration of Gawai for me, and I was excited about it because I had the chance to represent my ethnicity and share with visitors and tourists the beauty of the Gawai Festival. On Gawai eve, my family and I gather for a feast of Thanksgiving. There is also a blessing ceremony led by our ketua kampung to make the celebration livelier. As Dayaks, we couldn’t resist the poco-poco and joget-joget. Oooohhaaa! Since we celebrate at our grandparents’ house, we usually divide tasks among cousins, which is a good practice for strengthening family ties.
