Inaugural ‘Ooo Haa! Gawai' pop-up market starts in Sibu tomorrow, Miri on May 23
The festival will be held over two weekends, beginning in Sibu tomorrow (May 16) until May 18 and followed by Miri from May 23 to 25.
KUCHING (May 15): The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has announced the inaugural 'Ooo Haa! Gawai Pop-Up Market 2025', the latest addition to its seasonal pop-up festival series aimed at celebrating Sarawak's cultural diversity.
The festival will be held over two weekends, beginning in Sibu tomorrow (May 16) until May 18 and followed by Miri from May 23 to 25.
Both events will take place at the respective Visitor Information Centre Gardens, running daily from 4pm to 10pm. Admission is free.
'Each evening, the festival showcases the rich culture of the Iban, Bidayuh, and other Dayak communities through sacred rituals like the Miring and Ngalu Temuai, soul-stirring sape melodies, and nightly cultural performances beneath the stars,' said STB in a statement.
It added that a central feature of the festival is the Randau Gawai, a community storytelling session designed to pass down ancestral knowledge and deepen understanding of the significance behind Gawai traditions.
Visitors will also be able to participate in traditional games such as the blowpipe challenge, arm wrestling, and Batak Lampung, promoting intergenerational engagement through friendly competition.
'Surrounded by lush gardens at the heart of each city, the event embraces Nature as part of the experience, transforming the Visitor Information Centres into lively yet grounding spaces for community connection and outdoor celebration.
'A curated selection of local vendors – 15 in Sibu and 30 in Miri – will offer handcrafted goods and the best of local Food and heritage delicacies. From smoked meats and jungle produce to rare traditional snacks and heirloom recipes, these offerings promise to satisfy both the curious and the nostalgic,' said STB.
At the core of the celebration is the Birami Gawia, a communal feast that embodies the spirit of unity, gratitude, and cultural exchange that characterise the Gawai season.
Meanwhile, STB chief executive officer Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor in the statement said the event is more than just a festive gathering, but a chance to honour and share Sarawak's Indigenous heritage with everyone.
'Through storytelling, music, food, and games, all Malaysians and travellers are invited to experience the warmth, beauty, and living culture of Gawai,' she said.
Organised in collaboration with local partners, the event is part of STB's broader initiative to reimagine its Visitor Information Centres as accessible community spaces for cultural celebration.
Previous iterations of the pop-up series have included the Twinkling Christmas Market, Spring in the City (Lunar New Year), and Ramadan Mubarak Market. miri Ooo Haa! Gawai Pop-Up Market Sarawak Tourism Board Sibu STB
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
13 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Nanta leads dignitaries at Kedup Gawai Dayak open house (Video)
Nanta (right) follows Martin's lead while performing the traditional 'Bilangi' dance. SERIAN (June 8): Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi led a group of distinguished dignitaries at the Kedup Gawai Dayak Open House hosted by Kedup assemblyman Datuk Martin Ben in Kampung Bunan Gega yesterday. Nanta was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Angelina Ujang and Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat. Among the other notable guests were Bukit Semuja assemblyman John Ilus, Machan assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong, Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud, Sarawak Economic Planning Unit director Datu Lester Matthew, Serian District Council chairman Dato Peter Minos, and Serian Resident Caroline Cleophas Joseph. Held at the Balai Babuk Barum Hall, the celebration featured cultural performances by the Kampung Mantung Merau cultural troupe and karaoke singing by invited guests. Though it marked the seventh day of Gawai, the festive spirit remained strong, with guests joining in the dancing and singing. A highlight of the day was Nanta and Martin joining in the traditional Bidayuh dance 'Bilangi', to the delight of those in attendance. alexander nanta linggi Kampung Bunan Gega Kedup Gawai Dayak Open House lead
The Star
13 hours ago
- The Star
When tradition thrives through technology
One for the album: Curtin Malaysia staff members, students and workshop participants posing for a group photo with Ariffin (seated fifth from left). In a unique initiative blending tradition with technology, students of Curtin University Malaysia, Sarawak, recently empowered Bidayuh youth in Tudan through a full-day digital empowerment workshop, equipping them with modern tools to preserve and promote their cultural heritage online. The workshop, held on April 19, was spearheaded by students of the Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences as part of their Team Leadership & Community Service module, and supported by Pasukan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Bahagian Miri (PKKK) and the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) Miri. The participants, mostly secondary school students from the local Bidayuh community, received hands-on training in popular digital platforms such as Canva, CapCut, and Metaverse-related tools, enabling them to tell their cultural stories through digital posters, short videos and virtual content. A highlight of the day was the creation of promotional content featuring traditional Bidayuh cuisine like Pogang, developed by the youth in collaboration with village elders. Officiating the workshop, Miri deputy mayor Ariffin Mohamad praised the initiative for fusing ancestral wisdom with 21st-century skills. 'Adab dulu, baru ilmu – manners before knowledge – remains a guiding principle. 'This workshop is a testament to how tradition can thrive when paired with respectful and creative learning,' he said in a press release. Highlighting the workshop's broader impact, PKKK treasurer and Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences staff member Farahezza Hairon Nizar said, 'We want our youth to see digital tools not just as entertainment, but also as powerful instruments of expression. 'This initiative unlocks their creativity and gives them a voice in the digital age.' The event was filled with activities – tutorials, team challenges and digital content competitions – that sparked enthusiasm and camaraderie among participants. Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences students acted as facilitators, mentoring the youth through each creative task while building their confidence in using digital platforms. Faculty of Humanities and Health Sciences General Studies head and the project's academic adviser Valerie Velina Anaelechi stressed that digital literacy is more than a modern skill – it is a tool for cultural resilience. Underscoring the long-term vision behind the initiative, she said by helping young people tell their stories online, the varsity was giving them the means to protect and promote their heritage for future generations. For Audrey Serani Anak Lawrence Bong, a Bidayuh student and project team member, the experience was deeply personal. 'Seeing the excitement on the faces of our local youth as they shared and celebrated our traditions online was unforgettable. It is a proud moment for our community,' she said.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- Borneo Post
Tematu Ethno Fest to debut with fresh identity, rich cultural line-up
The Tematu Ethno Fest 2025 will be held later this month at Kampung Tematu, Kuching. KUCHING (June 7): The annual Karnival Gawai & Bitanding Dayung Gawea Tematu has officially rebranded itself as the Tematu Ethno Fest for its 10th edition, set to take place later this month. Organising chairman John Pata James Jumin said the rebranding marks the beginning of a new identity that is more inclusive, dynamic, and aligned with the goals of unity and cultural preservation. 'The new name reflects the growing scope of the event and a modern approach to uniting communities while maintaining traditional values,' he said in a statement. According to him 'Ethno Fest' is a combination of the words 'ethno' (ethnic) and 'fest' (festival), making it a platform to celebrate the heritage of the Bidayuh community and other ethnic groups in a spirit of harmony. 'The rebranding is not merely a change of name, but a strategic move to strengthen the event's role as a cultural bridge across generations and communities,' he added. Tematu Ethno Fest will provide broader opportunities for participation and the inclusion of diverse cultural elements. This year's edition will take place from June 27 to 28 at Kampung Tematu, near Kuching, with the theme 'Jak Ndi Otin, Samah To Kayak Adat Bidoyoh', which translates to 'We Must Stand United in Preserving Bidayuh Traditions.' The event will feature three main competitions: Bitanding Dayung Gawea Tematu 2025, Bitanding Sindok Gawea Tematu 2025, and Bitanding Onak Dayung Gawea Tematu 2025. Furthermore, the festival will showcase a wide range of competitions and activities for all age groups, including the Traditional Tuak Brewing Competition, Kuduos 'Ponas' Cooking Contest, Speed 'Maggi' Noodle Eating Challenge, Best Traditional Attire Competition (Male & Female), Karaoke Competitions (Children & Adults), Children's Colouring Contest, Traditional Games, as well as exhibitions by government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Food and beverage stalls, traditional attire vendors, and various local product booths will be set up for visitors, along with a lucky draw. A blood donation drive and dental check-up session will also be held on June 28 at the multipurpose hall of Kampung Tematu from 8am to 1pm, open to the public. 'Admission is free, and members of the public are warmly invited to attend and enliven this festival, which not only celebrates cultural heritage but also serves as a space for social and economic interaction within the community,' said John. Gawai Dayak John Pata James Jumin Tematu Ethno Fest traditional
