Gawai Dayak
This celebration of unity, aspiration and hope for the Dayaks mark the end of the rice harvest and ushers in another year of bountiful goodness. During this festival, almost everyone dresses in traditional costumes while the elders perform traditional rites.
First celebrated on 1st June 1965, it is the feast for the eyes with its colourful rituals, traditional music, cock fighting, feasting and games. It is simply a time for merrymaking.
Tuak (rice wine) and an array of traditional food are generously served. Widespread celebrations are held not only in the main cities and towns but also in the interior settlements. Gawai is an occasion for parties, fun and games, processions and open houses.
In remote villages, guests are expected to taste tuak and eat at each household. Music and dancing usually follow suit.
In Kuching, for instance, celebrations start a week before with colourful street parades and cultural activities. On the eve of the Gawai, a grand state dinner is usually held with singing, dancing and a beauty pageant, which culminates in the crowning of several Gawai Queens, one each for Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu communities.
Obviously, Gawai Dayak is the best and the most interesting time to visit Sarawak as you can see and sample the lifestyle and its festivities.
Where to go
-The Skrang River (Iban Longhouse)
Experience life at the longhouse with this exciting destination. The journey to Skrang is firstly by road, and then by a motor propelled long boat up the river. The highlight of any visit to a Skrang longhouse is the entertainment by the longhouse residents featuring traditional dances and music.
-The Lemanak River (Iban Longhouse)
Upon arrival at the longhouse, the Iban natives will greet and welcome you with tuak, the local traditional rice wine. Explore the longhouse and gain an insight into the unique culture of the Iban communities. This longhouse is home to 23 families. All resides under one roof. Have a chat with the Iban old folks to understand more of their culture and the history of headhunting. The trophy of the headhunting days can be seen hanging from the rafters and antique Chinese jars.
-Batang Ai (Iban Longhouse)
Arrive at the Lemanak jetty and take an hour boat ride upriver amidst overhanging foliage. Upon arrival at the longhouse, the longhouse occupants with generous flow of tuak will greet you with the traditional dance. Explore and visit the longhouse where you will see many things such as human skull hanging from the rafters, antique Chinese jars dated back hundreds of years and some 25 families living together under one roof.
-Annah Rais (Bidayuh Longhouse)
Bidayuh, the second largest ethnic group in Sarawak, is formerly known as the 'Land Dayak. They were also known as the 'Engineer of Bamboo'. You will be able to see the splendid architecture of their longhouse, which was build mostly by bamboo when visiting their longhouse. Annah Rais is one of the most famous Bidayuh longhouse in Sarawak, which located about 100 km east from Kuching city and quite close to the Indonesian border. The excursion will take about one and a half hour on the road.
Link: longhouseadventure
Types of Gawai
The Ibans has many festivals called 'Gawai'. These different 'Gawai's are known as 'Gawai Kenyalang' (hornbill festival), 'Gawai Antu' (festival for the dead) and 'Gawai Dayak' (harvesting festival). During such festivals, besides the customary observance of ritual, there is usually a lot of drinking of the locally brewed rice wine called tuak, much merriment and dancing called ngajat and displays of elaborate traditional costumes.
Tuak
Tuak is a special rice wine. It is a drink for all occasions, be it Gawai, weddings or entertaining visitors. It is generally served during any sort of entertainment or festivities. When you arrive at any longhouse during the festival, the occupants will offer you tuak as a welcoming drink. It used to offend the occupants if visitors refuse the offering but now the host is more understanding as some religion like Islam forbids the consumption of alcohol of any sort.
Rainforest World Music Festival
The Rainforest World Music Festival is a unique festival that brings together on the same stage renowned world musicians from all continents and indigenous musicians from the interiors of Borneo.
With the rainforest at the Sarawak Cultural Village as the backdrop, you will be enveloped by the sweet sounds of nature and ethnic music from talented musicians – both dancing to the same rhythm of the forest.
Performers and fans flock from around the world and participate in musical workshops or they can just lay back and enjoy the evening concerts. The afternoons are usually scheduled with informative workshops, ethno-musical lectures, jamming sessions and mini concerts.
The festival site also sets up a variety of food and drink stalls, an arts and crafts area as well as a counter for festival memorabilia, Sarawak souvenirs and CDs by the performing artists, all this contributing to a fun filled, wholesome festival experience. World Music plus a country fair atmosphere in the midst of lush greenery!
The Rainforest World Music Festival, a not-to-be-missed occasion, guarantees a smashing time in the heart of the Borneo Jungle!
Where to go
You can head for the picturesque 17-acre Sarawak Cultural Village tucked on the foothills of Mount Santubong. It is 35km away from Kuching city, which is only 45 minutes drive. This award-winning venue showcases fascinating cultural heritage also dubbed as the "Living Museum". As the name suggests, there are people staying at the display houses leading daily routines.
Winner of the Heritage & Culture PATA Gold Award
The Rainforest World Music Festival is winner of the Heritage and Culture PATA Gold Award 2006. It is now tradition that there will be daytime workshops followed by evening outdoor shows on all three days.
The festival will have a total of 16 bands. Each of the bands will have the opportunity to play at least once on main stage, while most will be taking part in the various workshops, some of which would be interactive ones.
Sarawak Regatta
Once upon a time, warring tribes of Sarawak compete in water sports to see which tribe stands tall. They were first held at the Baram River to settle local rivalries without resorting to war and headhunting.
Now, this adrenaline-rushed annual event, held on the first week of September sees friendly competitors outpacing themselves in paddleboat, powerboat and canoe competitions along the Sarawak River.
Be at the Kuching Waterfront and be one with the beat of drums from the ‘warring tribes’.
You can feel the excitement in the air, just like those from the bygone eras. This is rekindled as the State's expert boatmen take up their paddles to prove their prowess in the river.
Where to go
The popular Kuching Waterfront becomes the gathering venue for thousands of people from all walks of life who come to witness this event. It is an offshoot of the Baram Regatta that was originally a contest between traditionally huge war canoes bringing daring warriors travelling upriver. Much awaited by locals and visitors alike, the excitement of war-like and bygone days is rekindled as the state's finest boatmen prove their prowess.
Borneo Cultural Festival
Experience the unique cultural contributions of the various ethnic groups from around the region, as they converge in Sibu for a weeklong celebration of song and dance at the Sibu Town Square.
Besides the local overwhelming response, this festival also attracted tourists mainly from China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, as well as other nearby countries.
In the last few years, several foreign cultural bodies from countries like China and Indonesia also performed cultural shows to further promote the festival. There was also participation from the neighbouring state of Sabah.
Mooncake Festical
Mooncake Festival or 'Tang Lung' is a celebration of peace and prosperity. It is celebrated by Chinese around the world every year on the month of eight of Chinese lunar calendar. Legend has indicated that the secret about a plot against the Mongolians was hidden inside the mooncake and the mooncake was distributed widely. Lanterns were used at night as signals from higher grounds and hilltop.
Malaysian celebrates this festival by hanging lanterns at their houses while enjoying the mooncakes serve by the host. These cakes are rich, round pastries filled with a mixture of sweet red bean paste, lotus nut paste, or salted egg yolk.
In Kuching, Carpenter Street is closed to traffic throughout the celebration. Hawkers from different background sells delectable local food on the street. Different races of dancers & musicians performs on the street.
