Contributed by baluirayang ak.a. Babuk Andrea

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Gawai Dayak 2007 is celebrated this 1st June. It was officially gazetted on 25th September 1964 as a public holiday and was first celebrated on 1st June 1965. It is a symbol of unity and entity for the Dayak community and is celebrated as a yearly Dayak Festival. Since then, it becomes an essential part of Dayak traditional and cultural life, and is a day of thanksgiving to mark successful harvest.

In kampung or village, about a week before the grand festival, gongs and drums are sounded to alert visitors on the coming celebration. The beats of the gongs and drums shake the entire village, echoing across the neighbouring villages and towns. The thunderous mystical sounds penetrate through undulating ranges of mountains and hills, enchanting jungles, rivers and streams. To the village folks, the magic touch of the sound that pierces and caresses their heart and soul is mesmerizing and nostalgic.

The core of the gawai is the blessing of the bineh, the selected grain or the best ears of the paddy which is supposed to the mother of the paddy. The ritual ceremony is done on the eve of the Gawai, 31st May. Each family bring along their best bundle of the ears of the paddy which is placed in a special basket called juwu or juwah, each of their farming tools such as, axes, weeding knives, harvesting and winnowing baskets, sickles and others. These are placed together in a corner or centre of the longhouse or Balai Raya.

A Tukang Tebur or village shaman or priest will preside on the ritual blessing. The main purpose of the blessing is to thank the Pulang Gana Raja Sua, god of the earth and harvest for their bountiful harvest. For the Christians, the Christian priest performs the blessing.

On the later part of the eve of 31st May, village folks gather along the veranda of their longhouses while those who do not have longhouses gather at Balai Raya or communal hall. When the clock strikes twelve, the celebration begins. Gongs and drums roar wildly to commence the gawai. The tera or loud cheers or shout of joy and festive mood rock the village and echoes miles away. The traditional dance, langgi pingadap or welcoming dance is performed to start the celebration and to welcome guests and visitors. Pairs or groups of langgi dancers, in full regalia gracefully spread their wings to the beat of gongs and drums. While dancing, beautiful maidens offer them tuak, a traditional rice wine. Intermittent cheers of the tera continue echoing through the atmosphere.

The gawai is not complete without the Gawai Keles (Keling in Iban) and Kumang contest. They are dressed in their best regalia. Other activities varies from village to village, such as contests of the best tuak, best traditional dress, best jala cake. The following day houses are open to visitors. Door to door visit can be a hazard to health with the consumption of meat, liquor and sweet cakes.