Gawai Dayak is an annual festival celebrated by the Dayak people in Sarawak, Malaysia, for two days, i.e. on June 1 and June 2. Gawai Dayak was previously as known as Dayak Day or Sarawak Day. The idea of celebrating Gawai Dayak was by the radio producers Tan Kingsley and Owen Liang and was then taken up by the Dayak community. The British colonial government refused to recognise Dayak Day until 1962. They called it Sarawak Day for the inclusion of all Sarawakians as a national day, regardless of ethnic origin. The social occasion recognised since 1957. The festival is a significant cultural event marking the end of the rice harvesting season and the beginning of a new year in Dayak culture. June 2024 Festivals, Events and Holidays Calendar: Complete List of Important Days and Dates in June.

Gawai Dayak 2024 Dates

Gawai Dayak 2024 will be celebrated on June 1 and 2 every year.

Gawai Dayak Significance

The Gawai Dayak festival is celebrated with cultural practices, traditional rituals, and communal activities. The term ‘Gawai’ means festival, and ‘Dayak’ is a collective name for the indigenous peoples of Borneo, including the Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, and other groups. Celebrations often begin with traditional rituals, including offering the deities and ancestors food and drink. These offerings typically include rice, cakes, and tuak which is rice wine. Traditional dances like the Ngajat are performed, accompanied by traditional music using instruments like the sape, a traditional lute.

The festival of Gawai Dayak is a celebration of the harvest and a time for the Dayak people to renew their cultural identity and pass on traditions to the younger generation. It serves as a reminder of their rich heritage and offers an opportunity to share their culture with others.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 30, 2024 02:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).