KUCHING: Gawai is one heck of a festival in terms of its socio-cultural significance for the Dayaks, but despite its grandness and grandeur it is not celebrated in exactly the same way by all Dayaks.
This might be a surprise to some (or many, depending on your perspective), but just ask Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) youth chief, Robert Ayu.
He said some Dayaks who have embraced Christianity either don’t celebrate at all or they celebrate in their own way minus most of the native or animistic rituals.
Most of the non-celebrants are Orang Ulu in the highlands of Sarawak.
Robert Ayu, who is of mixed Kelabit and Lun Bawang parentage, said he, his family and some Orang Ulu do not celebrate Gawai Dayak after Christianity was introduced by missionaries back in the day.
“There is a book about it called ‘Drunk before Dawn’ written by Shirley Lees. The early Kelabit and Lun Bawang did celebrate the festival before the coming of Christianity,” he recalled.
“My people noticed that some parts of Gawai were deemed not appropriate or against the teachings of Christianity, so we gradually stopped celebrating in the traditional way.”
Robert, who is from Ulung Palang longhouse in Bario, said they celebrate in a different way, that is, by going to church for thanksgiving after the harvest season.
“In some aspects, our way is also grand if not grander. Every year on June 1 and 2, we have our version of the Gawai celebration that is called ‘Irau Acho Lun Bawang’ and we have the Highlanders Games Carnival,” he said.
He said the Irau Acho Lun Bawang is held on the two days in Lawas while the Highlanders Games Carnival in Miri comprises not just sports but also traditional cultural activities.
“So, you see we don’t actually reject Gawai Dayak. We just celebrate it differently. I guess, to each his own. The Iban celebrate in the own way, the Bidayuh in their own style, etc. We are not clones of each other,” he explained.
What is most important, according to him, is to enjoy and celebrate responsibly without excess, or think that one’s way of celebrating is the only way to do.
“Remember, there is more than one way to skin a cat,” he quipped.
As a politician, he said that he would visit Dayak friends who open their open houses.
“Over the years, the celebration has grown from being a mere harvest festival into a force of unity,” he said.
“Regardless of differences in religion and ethnicity, Gawai Dayak has brought all Dayaks including other races closer to each other.”
Traditionally, before the festival day itself, Dayaks would return to their respective villages.
On Gawai Eve, the Iban celebration include a “miring” (offering ceremony) to pay respects to their gods, have communal dinner with fellow villagers, and Kumang-Keling pageants would normally be held to choose the festival’s king and queen.
Men would perform the traditional “ngajat” (warrior dance) while women would do the “ngajat pua kumbu” accompanied by gong music.
At midnight, the Tuai Rumah (village chief) would hit a gong and everyone would drink the “tuak” as “ai pengayu” (longevity toast) and then they would wish each other “Gayu Guru, Gerai Nyamai” followed by the recitation of “pantun” (poem/poetry).
On the day of the Gawai itself like today, Dayak homes are always open to people who “ngabang” (visit) their relatives and friends.
