Iban longhouse keeps decades-old Gawai ritual alive to honour ancestors

New Straits Times

2 days ago

SARATOK: The festive cheer at Rumah Punggah here began to bloom days ahead of the Gawai Dayak celebration on June 1, not just with the return of family members from afar, but with the revival of a beloved tradition that has graced this longhouse for nearly 60 years.
At the 48-door longhouse in Temudok Krian on the eve of the celebration yesterday, residents were already up and about early in the morning, abuzz with energy as they put the final touches on preparations for 'Ngasi Makan Tiang Pengingat', a time-honoured ritual set to take place later in the day.
According to the head of the longhouse, Tuai Rumah Punggah Gama, 70, the ceremony is more than just an annual ritual, it's a heartfelt tribute to their ancestors and a powerful symbol of unity for the community.
"It's not just a wooden post standing there. The 'Tiang Pengingat' holds the spirit of our memories, our values, and our strength as a people. When we perform 'ngasi makan', it shows that we remember and honour where we come from," he told Bernama.
The four-sided belian wood pillar, standing around 3.5 metres tall in front of the longhouse, was first erected on June 1, 1966, the date of the community's very first Gawai Dayak celebration.
Since then, it has stood as a proud marker of heritage through the generations.
As dusk nears, the ceremony began with 'miring', a traditional Iban invocation of blessings, followed by the symbolic sacrifice of a rooster, its blood gently smeared onto the Tiang Pengingat, which bears inscriptions marking that historic first Gawai and is adorned with intricate traditional decorations
Offerings of glutinous rice and dishes wrapped in banana leaves, lovingly prepared by the longhouse folk since morning, were placed at the foot of the pillar, accompanied by tuak, the traditional Iban rice wine.
Traditional 'pantun' echoed through the longhouse as they were recited alongside the steady rhythm of gongs played by the residents. The ritual usually continues until sunset, wrapping the day in a soulful, celebratory air.
Though nearly six decades have passed since the first families settled in this longhouse, the enthusiasm of the residents, especially the younger generation, to take part in the ritual speaks volumes of their dedication to preserving their cultural roots.
"We want our young ones to know their origins. When they're involved in these rituals from a young age, they grow up proud of being Iban," Punggah added, with a smile full of hope.