Latest news with #Gawai
Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Iban longhouse keeps decades-old Gawai ritual alive to honour ancestors
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. – Bernama photo SARATOK (June 2): 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. 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. – Bernama photo 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. – Bernama Gawai Dayak lead longhouse Rumah Punggah tradition
Borneo Post
8 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Tourism Malaysia shares Gawai joy with domestic, international travellers
Kevin (second left), Jun Iskandar (second right) and other officials present festive goodies bags to visitors arriving at the Kuching lnternational Airport. KUCHING (June 2): The vibrant spirit of the Gawai Dayak Festival filled Sarawak's airports yesterday as Tourism Malaysia, in collaboration with Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), hosted festive celebrations at Kuching International Airport (KIA) and Sibu Airport. Held in conjunction with the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, the events aimed to share the cultural joy of Gawai with both domestic and international travellers. Passengers arriving at the arrival halls were warmly greeted and offered festive goodies, including the iconic Sarawak Kek Lapis (layered cake) and promotional materials for VM2026. At the KIA arrival hall, guests and passengers arriving on AirAsia flights from Kuala Lumpur (AK5232) and Singapore (AK1776) were treated to captivating cultural performances by a local dance troupe, showcasing Sarawak's rich heritage. Also present were Tourism Malaysia Sarawak deputy director Kevin Jantan Robert Bidi, Kuching International Airport senior manager Jun Iskandar Murshidi and representatives from partner agencies, tourism associations and airlines. 'This is the third time that we are organising festive celebrations this year after having done it for the Chinese Lunar New Year and Hari Raya Adilfitri. 'We will also be organising similar programmes for Deepavali and Christmas,' Kevin told reporters. 'The main objective of organising this programme is to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2026 as well as promote the Gawai Dayak Festival celebration to both domestic and international visitors,' he added. Celebrated annually on June 1 and 2, the Gawai Dayak Festival is part of Tourism Malaysia's efforts to promote the essence of Sarawak's rich cultural tapestry, inviting everyone to join in the festivities and experience the warmth of Malaysian hospitality. In 2024, Malaysia welcomed 38 million international visitors — a 31.1 per cent increase from 2023 and 8.3 per cent above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Visitor receipts also surged, generating RM106.78 billion, reflecting a substantial 43.7 per cent growth over 2023 and exceeding 2019 figures by 20 per cent. This positive trend has continued into early 2025, with the first four months recording 13.4 million visitor arrivals — a 21.0 per cent year-on-year increase. From January to April this year, Singapore remained the top visitor-generating market, followed by Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, The Philippines, Australia and the UK.
New Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Climate
- New Straits Times
Heavy rain, thunderstorms in Sarawak amid Gawai celebrations
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued a thunderstorm warning for several parts of Sarawak, coinciding with the ongoing Gawai Dayak celebrations, which began today and will continue throughout the week. The alert, effective until 10pm tonight, affects areas including Samarahan (Simunjan), Sri Aman, Betong, Sarikei, Sibu, Mukah (Dalat and Mukah), Kapit, Bintulu, Miri (Beluru, Telang Usan and Marudi), and Limbang. The department warned of heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning activity, with rainfall intensity expected to exceed 20mm per hour in the affected areas. Such weather conditions may lead to flash floods, fallen trees, and disruptions to outdoor festivities. Gawai, a major cultural festival marking the end of the rice harvesting season, is widely celebrated across both rural and urban Sarawak, often featuring open houses, longhouse gatherings, traditional dances, and parades. Authorities have urged the public, especially those travelling between longhouses and urban centres, to remain vigilant and avoid outdoor activities during periods of heavy rain. The MetMalaysia storm warning also covers parts of Perlis, Kedah (Langkawi), Kelantan (Gua Musang), Sabah, and other regions of Malaysia, and remains valid for six hours from the time of issuance. The notice was released at 7pm today.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Iban longhouse keeps decades-old Gawai ritual alive to honour ancestors
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.
Borneo Post
a day ago
- General
- Borneo Post
Gawai Dayak 2025 celebrated with tradition, togetherness at Rumah Kechendai
The longhouse residents gathered for the celebration in a joyful atmosphere. – Sarawak Public Communications Unit photo SELANGAU (June 1): The Gawai Dayak 2025 celebration was joyfully held at Rumah Kechendai, Kepayang Jaya, Sungai Arip, bringing together around 250 residents from 27 families in a vibrant showcase of culture and unity. Tuai Rumah Kechendai Kalob, who also serves as chairman of the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) Kepayang Jaya, said the Gawai Dayak festival is more than just a celebration—it is a vital tradition that strengthens the bonds among longhouse residents. 'This is the time when those working in urban areas return home to celebrate with their families. Gawai is a moment for reunion, especially for those living far away in Peninsular Malaysia. It strengthens bonds within the community,' he said. Tr Kechendai also highlighted the importance of preserving customs and traditions, stating that Gawai is a platform to uphold the cultural identity of the Dayak people. He said traditional rituals such as berancau tikai, mupu antu rua, miring, bedara, ngalu petara, and Ngirup Ai Pengayu were carried out during the celebration. Cultural expressions like bertaboh (traditional drumming) and ngajat (traditional dance) were also featured prominently. The community also conducted a Sembayang Berkat Bilik ceremony to express gratitude to God for past blessings and to seek protection and prosperity for the coming year. Tr Kechendai expressed his appreciation for the development brought by the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, especially improvements in basic infrastructure such as paved roads and 24-hour electricity supply. 'Five years ago, returning home for Gawai meant a three-hour journey by river. Today, we have a tarred road reaching our village and reliable electricity,' he shared. Meanwhile, Missy Anak Sandin, head of the Women's Bureau of JKKK Kepayang Jaya, expressed pride in maintaining the tradition of makan serumpu, or communal dining on the longhouse veranda (ruai). A wide variety of traditional dishes were served, including pansuh (bamboo-cooked meat), pekasam (fermented fish), and jungle vegetables such as upa pantu and bamboo shoots. Exotic meats such as venison, civet, and fresh river prawns also featured on the menu. Traditional desserts like penganan cuan, penganan tatok, and ketupat added to the festive spirit. 'The tradition of makan serumpu must be preserved by continuing to prepare and serve traditional foods,' she said. The celebration also included various activities and competitions, including a lucky draw and a special appreciation ceremony for six senior citizens in the community, recognising their contributions and honoring their presence during the celebration. celebration community Gawai Dayak lead Rumah Kechendai
