15-05-2025
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
