BY IDA NADHIRAH
KUCHING: To the Iban, Gawai Dayak is a significant event as it marks the end of the rice harvest season and a time for them to show their gratitude through thanksgiving, prayers, and celebration.
During this festival, the Ibans engage in traditional ceremonies, singing, dancing, and enjoying their traditional food.
For a more in-depth insight into the cultural event, the New Sarawak Tribune (ST) interviewed Dr Alexander Chelum, a lecturer at UNIMAS’ Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts (FACA).
This interview is about the different types of Gawai; the significance of each celebration, and the customs and etiquette to adhere to.
There are two types of Gawai — Gawai Antu and Gawai Padi. Can you explain their importance?
Dr Alexander: Gawai Antu is a special celebration of the Iban people, where they honour their ancestors’ spirits. Also known as the Festival of the Dead, it allows the living to connect with their deceased loved ones. Rituals, prayers, and ceremonies are performed to show respect and communicate with ancestral spirits, preserving cultural traditions for future generations. Participating in Gawai Antu instils a strong sense of identity, tradition, and historical connection among the Iban people.
Conversely, Gawai Padi, the Rice Harvest Festival, holds great significance for the Iban people who depend on farming for their livelihood. This festival marks the end of the rice-growing season and celebrates a bountiful harvest. It brings the community together to enjoy food and reflect on humans’ relationship with the environment.
During Gawai Padi, the Iban people express gratitude to the land spirits, seeking blessings for future harvests through prayers, gifts, and communal activities. The festival upholds traditional values of hard work, cooperation, and land stewardship. It serves as a reminder of the vital role farming plays in the lives of the Iban people and their profound connection to the earth they cultivate.
Are there any more lesser-known Gawai varieties honoured by the Iban people?
Dr Alexander: The Iban community has lesser-known celebrations also known as Gawai. One of these, Gawai Batu, is popular among rural Iban people. It centres around a mystical object called a whetstone, believed to possess special powers. During Gawai Batu, rituals, chants, offerings, and symbolic gestures are performed to appease the spirits residing in these stones. This celebration allows the Iban people to connect with nature and seek blessings such as protection and abundance.
Another important celebration, Gawai Lelabi, focuses on fertility and seeks blessings for conception, childbirth, and the well-being of mothers and infants. Women play a significant role in this festival, performing ceremonies, prayers, sacrifices, and traditional practices to enhance fertility and ensure safe pregnancies and childbirths. Gawai Lelabi upholds the traditional beliefs of the Iban community regarding pregnancy and delivery, emphasizing the significance of family and lineage continuation.
How do the ceremonies and traditions differ between the many Gawai celebrations?
Dr Alexander: Gawai celebrations within the Iban community encompass diverse customs and practices, each specific to a particular festival. These festivities reflect varying cultural contexts, beliefs, and objectives. Let’s explore the key variations in these significant Gawai celebrations.
Gawai Antu serves as a way to honour ancestors and appease their spirits. The rituals of Gawai Antu involve ceremonies, chants, and offerings to communicate and pay homage to the deceased. Slaughtering animals, like chickens or pigs, is customary and symbolises gifts for the departed spirits. Families may hold ceremonies at ancestral graves, share communal meals, and engage in traditional music and dance to show respect and seek blessings from the spirits.
Gawai Padi, on the other hand, celebrates the rice harvest and expresses gratitude for the abundance derived from farming. Rituals, prayers, and offerings are conducted in rice fields during Gawai Padi to express appreciation to the land spirits and request their continued blessings for future harvests. Traditional activities such as pounding rice, playing traditional games, and performing cultural acts highlight the significance of rice farming in Iban culture. Participants also enjoy traditional meals made from freshly harvested rice and local ingredients.
Gawai Batu pays tribute to the spirits residing in the Whetstone and seeks blessings for wealth and safety. Ceremonies during Gawai Batu involve rituals such as making offerings, prayers, and symbolic gestures at the stone locations. These rituals aim to invoke the spirits’ blessings in various aspects of life, including health, prosperity, and balance. Community gatherings during Gawai Batu involve traditional music, dancing, and storytelling centred on the myths and tales associated with the stones. Activities like stone carving or decoration allow participants to demonstrate reverence and respect for the spiritual significance of the stones.
Is there a certain Gawai that is most essential compared to the rest?
Dr Alexander: The Gawai festivals hold immense importance in Iban culture, each serving a unique purpose within the community. One of the most crucial celebrations is the Rice Harvest Festival, known as Gawai Padi. It symbolizes the significance of agriculture for the Iban people’s survival and well-being. This festival honours the abundant rice harvest, expressing gratitude and seeking blessings for future yields. Gawai Padi embodies values like hard work, cooperation, and land stewardship, deeply intertwined with the community’s social and economic structure.
Another revered festival is Gawai Antu, also called the Festival of the Dead. While not surpassing Gawai Padi’s importance, it commands great respect in Iban culture as it pays homage to ancestors and offers solace to their spirits. This celebration reinforces family bonds, religious beliefs, and cultural heritage by seeking guidance and protection from the deceased. Gawai Antu plays a vital role in maintaining spiritual connections and preserving cultural heritage within the community.
Additionally, lesser-known festivals like Gawai Batu and Gawai Lelabi serve unique purposes, such as spirituality, fertility, or community unity. While these celebrations may not enjoy the same recognition as Gawai Padi and Gawai Antu, they still play a significant role in preserving the Iban people’s cultural diversity and heritage.
In summary, Gawai Padi and Gawai Antu hold prominence in Iban culture due to their association with farming and spiritual beliefs. However, all Gawai festivals are essential for upholding cultural identity, fostering social connections, and seeking blessings across various aspects of Iban society. Each celebration contributes to shared memories, customs, and principles that define the rich heritage of the Iban people, emphasizing the interdependence of spiritual, social, and economic aspects of communal life.
Are there any specific preparations that families should do in the weeks preceding Gawai to guarantee a proper celebration?
Dr Alexander Preparing for something special is a big deal. Families go all out to get their houses squeaky clean, set up offerings for their ancestors, and stock up on heaps of food and drinks for the party. It’s also common to buy new clothes and traditional decorations to mark the start of fresh beginnings and feel renewed. Don’t wait until the last minute to get things ready, because being organized ahead of time guarantees a fantastic and enjoyable celebration. And don’t forget the spiritual side of things! Taking time to pray and honour our ancestors is just as important as all the other preparations.
Are there any taboos or items to avoid before or during Gawai?
Dr Alexander: Respecting cultural taboos and traditions means being mindful of certain actions that might be considered disrespectful or bring bad luck. For instance, it’s best to avoid getting into arguments, borrowing or lending things, or bringing sharp tools into someone’s home.
It’s also crucial to steer clear of breaking traditional taboos. For example, during Gawai, a festival celebrated by certain communities, it’s believed that sweeping the floor can sweep away good fortune, so it’s best to avoid doing so. Similarly, borrowing items from others is seen as potentially inviting bad luck, so it’s wise to refrain from doing that as well.
When visiting an Iban longhouse during Gawai, what are the appropriate greetings or rituals to follow?
Dr Alexander: When you arrive at the place where you’re invited, make sure to greet your hosts politely and show them respect. It’s a nice gesture to bring along gifts such as food, traditional crafts, or small tokens to show your appreciation. Join in the group activities that are happening and listen to the hosts’ instructions on how to participate in any rituals or ceremonies. It’s important not to show up empty-handed or behave rudely towards your hosts or other guests. Also, be mindful not to interrupt or disrupt any ongoing ceremonies or rituals that are taking place.
Is there a dress code for guests attending Gawai festivities?
Dr Alexander: During Gawai celebrations, please dress in traditional outfits: Ngepan Indu Iban for ladies and Ngepan Lelaki Iban for men. Add beadwork and silver jewellery to complete the look. If you don’t have traditional attire, modern and respectful clothing is acceptable. Avoid revealing or casual outfits, as well as garments with inappropriate symbols or messages. Our goal is for everyone to feel comfortable, enjoy the celebration, and honour the traditional spirit of Gawai.
How has the celebration of Gawai changed over time?
Dr Alexander: The Gawai festival has evolved due to modernization, globalization, and societal changes. Originally a rural farming celebration rooted in customs and beliefs, it has transformed with the growth of cities and cultural blending. Today, Gawai embraces modern elements alongside traditional rituals, incorporating electricity and technology. It represents a fusion of old and new, where cultural heritage is honoured while embracing the modern world. Additionally, Gawai’s meaning has shifted for some, reflecting changing perspectives on cultural identity, spirituality, and community unity. It now symbolizes the adaptability of cultures in a constantly changing world.
How has modernization affected how Gawai is celebrated today?
Dr Alexander: Gawai celebrations have evolved with the influence of technology and social media, transforming the way it is observed. Iban communities worldwide now easily connect and communicate through these platforms, enabling online participation, live streaming, and sharing of media. This inclusive approach fosters greater engagement and interaction among people. Moreover, globalization contributes to cultural exchange, introducing new customs and behaviours to Gawai festivities, and impacting various age groups’ experiences and perceptions. Nevertheless, communities remain dedicated to safeguarding Gawai’s fundamental traditions and values. Preserving their cultural heritage and transmitting ancestral wisdom to future generations remains a primary objective.
What are the most essential dishes and drinks served during Gawai?
Dr Alexander: These various dishes and drinks symbolize plenty, good fortune, and coming together as a community. They capture the true spirit of the Gawai celebrations, which are all about enjoying delicious food and having a great time. Some of the mouthwatering treats you can find during this festive occasion include Penganan Semut, Penganan Iri, Penganan ChuanKuih, SepitKuih, CuanManok, Pansoh Umai, and Ketupat. And of course, you can’t forget the traditional beverages like Tuak and Langkau.
What about the role of the younger generations in sustaining Gawai within Iban culture?
Dr Alexander: The younger generation must actively engage in preserving the Iban culture’s Gawai traditions. They should participate in cultural events, learn from elders, and share knowledge with peers. Safeguarding Gawai’s traditional practices, rituals, and values falls on their shoulders as cultural heritage custodians. Passing these traditions to the next generation involves learning folk songs, and dances, and engaging in sacred rituals, as well as actively participating in local gatherings and celebrations. Utilizing social media and digital technology, young people can document and share Gawai customs, ensuring their relevance in our ever-changing society. By involving the youth, the Iban community secures a strong and vibrant cultural legacy.