Gawai Day: A festival of gratitude, unity and heritage

New Straits Times

2 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: As the sun set over Sarawak yesterday, longhouses across the state came alive with rituals, music, and communal celebrations to mark Gawai Dayak, the Dayak community's annual harvest festival.
Celebrated on June 1 and 2, Gawai Dayak is observed by various Dayak ethnic groups, including the Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit, and others, to give thanks for a bountiful rice harvest and to usher in a new year of prosperity and unity.
The festivities kick off on the evening of May 31 with the Muai Antu Rua ceremony, a ritual to drive away greed and misfortune.
During this ceremony, two people walk through the longhouse, collecting unwanted items from each family in a winnowing basket (Chapan).
These items are then discarded at the end of the longhouse, symbolically removing negative elements to ensure a joyful celebration ahead.
Heart of the celebration: The longhouse
The longhouse serves as the epicentre of Gawai Dayak festivities. This traditional communal dwelling hosts a series of rituals, dances, and feasts in its communal area, known as the ruai.
Here, families gather to honour their ancestors, share meals, and participate in cultural performances that have been passed down through generations.
Rituals and traditions
A significant ritual during Gawai Dayak is the Miring ceremony, an offering ritual conducted to honour deities and ancestral spirits, seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and harmony in the coming year.
The Ngajat dance, performed by the Iban community, is a traditional dance characterised by graceful and rhythmic movements. Dancers wear traditional attire that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Dayak people.
Traditional attire and symbolism
During the festival, men wear traditional warrior outfits, including feathered headgear, armour-like shirts, loincloths, and decorative bangles, symbolising strength and tradition.
Women adorn themselves in handwoven skirts, beaded necklaces, silver belts, and high combs, each piece reflecting their cultural identity and beauty.
Tribal tattoos, known as kalingai or pantang among the Iban, are more than mere body art; they narrate stories of life, bravery, and identity.
Each design holds sacred and symbolic meanings, often representing significant life events or achievements.
Culinary delights
Gawai Dayak is also a time to indulge in traditional delicacies. Here are some commonly served dishes and drinks:
Manuk pansuh – Chicken cooked in bamboo with aromatic herbs; a signature dish among the Iban and Bidayuh communities.
Tuak – Traditional rice wine brewed from glutinous rice and homemade yeast; essential for rituals and communal toasts.
Penganan – Sweet cakes made from rice flour, sugar, and coconut milk; a staple during the festivities.
Distinct from Kaamatan
While both Gawai Dayak and Pesta Kaamatan are harvest festivals celebrated in East Malaysia, they are distinct in their cultural practices and timing.
Gawai Dayak is observed on June 1 and 2 in Sarawak by the Dayak communities, whereas Kaamatan is celebrated on May 30 and 31 in Sabah and Labuan by the Kadazan-Dusun, Murut, Rungus, and Lundayeh communities.
Each festival features unique rituals and cultural highlights reflective of their respective ethnic groups.
A festival of unity and hope
Beyond the rituals and feasts, Gawai Dayak embodies the spirit of unity, cultural pride, and hope for the future.
The festival's greeting, "Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai", translates to "long life, health, and prosperity," encapsulating the community's aspirations as they come together to celebrate their heritage and look forward to the year ahead.