State Holiday

Gawai Dayak Festival

State Holiday

Gawai Dayak is a major festival celebrated annually in Sarawak by the Dayak people, including the Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, and others. It marks the end of the harvesting season and serves as a day of thanksgiving to the gods and spirits for a bountiful harvest and a prayer for a successful farming season ahead.

Traditions & Celebrations

Longhouse Rituals: The celebration often begins at longhouses with rituals like Muai Antu Ruai to cast out bad spirits and Ngalu Petara to welcome the spirit of the harvest.
Ngabang (Visiting): A central tradition where people open their homes and longhouses to friends, neighbors, and tourists to feast and socialize together.
Traditional Performances: Celebrants perform the Ngajat dance, characterized by graceful and warrior-like movements, accompanied by rhythmic gong music.
Tuak and Traditional Feasts: Guests are offered Tuak (traditional rice wine) and a variety of traditional foods such as Lemang (bamboo rice) and various Sarawakian cakes.
Competitions and Pageants: The festival often features traditional games like blowpipe (Sumpit) shooting and the "Kumang Gawai" beauty pageant.

Upcoming Dates

Year	Date	Day	Status
2026	June 1, 2026	Monday	134 days