Gawai Dayak

A celebration with a sense of place.

Gawai Dayak is celebrated on 1 and 2 June, following preparations on 31 May. It marks the close of the rice-harvest season and creates space for thanksgiving, reunion and hopes for the year ahead. Dayak is a broad identity: Iban, Bidayuh and other communities keep related but distinct customs, so no single programme represents every household.

In many Iban longhouses, the communal ruai becomes the centre of the celebration. Visitors may encounter miring offerings, ngajat dancing, gong and drum music, storytelling and rounds of food. Ngabang describes the practice of visiting during the festive period, but it is hospitality rather than a general invitation to enter any longhouse.

Food carries memory. Families prepare dishes such as glutinous rice cooked in bamboo, chicken with tapioca leaves, cakes and tuak rice wine well before the holiday. Guests should feel comfortable declining alcohol politely and should always wait for the host’s cue around ritual or ceremonial moments.

Public programmes in Kuching and other towns can be a good introduction. A community or longhouse visit offers a more personal experience when arranged through a host, homestay or responsible local guide.

What to look forward to

• Community celebrations and family reunions
• Food, music and traditions shared by hosts
• Public programmes where advertised locally
• Ngajat dance, oral traditions and longhouse music
• Seasonal dishes prepared for visiting family and friends

Make the most of your visit

1. Arrange community visits in advance; an open-house invitation is not automatic.
2. Ask before taking photographs or joining a ceremony.
3. Check transport and accommodation early around the holiday.
4. Dress neatly, remove shoes when asked and bring a small gift for your hosts.
5. Do not treat ceremonial dress, offerings or sacred objects as props.