Gawai is one of the major festivals celebrated in Sarawak, East Malaysia. The word ‘Dayak’ is a collective term referring to the several hundred sub ethnic groups of indigenous people of Borneo. To name a few major ethnic groups, there are the Iban (Sea Dayak), Bidayuh (Land Dayak) and Orang Ulu (Kelabit, Kenyahs, Lun Bawangs, etc).
Hari Gawai, which falls on the 1st and 2nd of June each year is both a religious and social occasion as this festival marks the end of the harvesting season
A month prior to Gawai, most of the locals would prepare the often raved tuak or rice wine. This is a famous not-to-be-missed concoction. It's made of glutinous rice collected from the recent harvest mixed with home-made yeast and is left for fermentation which gives this drink it's kick. Try it.
If you have never visited Sarawak, East Malaysia before, then this is definitely a good time to visit Sarawak and have a taste of its local culture and be a part of this celebration, try the food, enjoy the hospitality, you are always welcome. If you can't make it this year, plan for 2016.
I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Selamat Ari Gawai Dayak, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai Lantang Senang.
Credit for the picture goes to the Sarawak Tourism Board. Thanks for dropping by, I'll be back with another broadcast soon, I'm going to be busy hosting an event for the next few days but I'll get back to my laptop soon. Be safe during the festive season!
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