Gawai Dayak is an annual festival celebrated in the Malaysian state of Sarawak to honor the Dayak people, the indigenous groups of Sarawak, including the Iban, Bidayuh, and Orang Ulu communities. It is a thanksgiving and harvest festival marking the end of the rice harvesting season and the beginning of a new agricultural cycle.

Table of Contents

1. When is Gawai Dayak?
2. The History of Gawai Dayak?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. The Indigenous Groups in Sarawak

When is Gawai Dayak?

Gawai Dayak is celebrated on June 1 and 2 each year in the Malaysian state of Sarawak.

The following is the list of Gawai Dayak from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Gawai Dayak

The history of Gawai Dayak is deeply rooted in the traditions of the indigenous Dayak people of Sarawak, Malaysia. It evolved from ancient harvest rituals to a modern cultural celebration, symbolizing unity and the preservation of Dayak identity.

Before colonial rule, individual Dayak communities celebrated the end of the rice harvest with traditional festivals. These festivals, held in longhouses, included rituals to honor the rice spirit (Semangat Padi) and offer thanks to the gods for a bountiful harvest.

Traditional practices involved miring ceremonies, communal feasting, dancing, and storytelling. Miring ceremonies are offerings made to appease spirits and seek blessings for future harvests.

The Dayak people viewed rice as sacred, and the harvest marked a time for renewal and gratitude. The rituals were led by community elders or shamans and served to strengthen communal bonds.

During British colonial rule (1841–1946), Dayak harvest celebrations were seen as local customs and were not given formal recognition.

By the mid-20th century, the Dayak people began advocating for greater recognition of their cultural and political identity. Leaders sought to unify the Dayak communities under a common festival to celebrate their shared heritage.

In the early 1960s, Dayak leaders pushed for the creation of an official Dayak festival. The idea was proposed as a way to promote Dayak unity and celebrate their contributions to Sarawak's culture and economy.

In 1964, the Sarawak government declared June 1 as Gawai Dayak, making it an official public holiday. The first official Gawai Dayak celebration was held on June 1, 1965, with events taking place in both rural and urban areas.

Gawai has become a significant cultural attraction, drawing visitors from around the world to experience Dayak traditions. The festival plays a crucial role in preserving traditional practices, such as music, dance, and crafts.

What Do People Do on This Day?

On Gawai Dayak, the people of Sarawak, Malaysia, participate in vibrant festivities that blend ancient traditions with modern celebrations.

People perform the miring ceremony, which is a traditional ritual to honor the spirits and give thanks for a bountiful harvest. During the ceremonies, offerings of food, rice wine (tuak), and symbolic items are placed on an altar, and elders lead prayers to seek blessings for the community and future harvests.

Visiting friends and relatives during Gawai is a tradtion. People's homes are decorated and opened to guests, symbolizing hospitality and unity, and visitors are served traditional foods and drinks, including tuak and local delicacies.

Longhouses and urban communities host grand feasts featuring traditional Dayak dishes, and families and neighbors gather to enjoy meals together, reinforcing community bonds.

In urban areas, Dayak families host open houses, inviting friends and neighbors from all cultural backgrounds.

The Indigenous Groups in Sarawak

Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia, is home to a diverse population of indigenous groups, each with its own unique culture, language, and traditions. These communities, collectively referred to as the Dayak people, make up a significant portion of Sarawak's population and contribute to its rich cultural heritage.

The largest indigenous group in Sarawak is Iban, making up about 30% of the state's population. The Iban are known as the "Sea Dayaks" because of their historical association with riverine and coastal settlements. Traditionally they live in longhouses – communal dwellings housing multiple families.

The second-largest Dayak group is Bidayuh, often referred to as the "Land Dayaks". Bidayuh are primarily agrarian, practicing rice farming and living in longhouses or small villages. They are known for their bamboo-based crafts and communal living traditions.

Orang Ulu is a collective term for smaller indigenous groups, typically from the interior highlands of Sarawak. Notable subgroups include Kenyah and Kayan, Lun Bawang, and Penan.

– Kenyah and Kayan: Known for their longhouses, tattooing traditions, and Datun Julud dance.
– Lun Bawang: An agricultural community skilled in rice cultivation and livestock rearing.
– Penan: A nomadic or semi-nomadic group known for their close connection to the rainforest.

Melanau is one of the oldest communities in Sarawak, believed to have initially been seafarers. They are historically lived in tall stilted houses. Some are farmers, while others are involved in sago production.

These are large indigenous groups, although there are many other indigenous groups such as Kadazan-Dusun, Selako, Kedayan, Bisaya and Punan.