Gawai Dayak, a festive celebrated in Sarawak on 1st June every year is both a religious and social occasion. Dayak would visit their friends and relatives on this day. Such visit is more known as “ngabang” in Iban language. The far would receive greeting cards.
How it all started can be traced back to a 1957 radio forum organized by Mr Ian Kingsley, a radio programme organiser. This generated a lot of interest among the Dayak community. Up till 1962, British colonial government still refused to give recognition to the Dayak Day.
To the Dayak, Gawai Dayak would be a recognition of the Dayak race, their source of national pride and a way to reciprocate social hospitality extended by the other races during their festivals.
After numerous requests, it fell on the sympathetic ears of the First Sarawak Chief Minister, Datuk Stephen Kalong Ningkan and his cabinet comprising among others, the present State Chief Minister, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud. The then Governor, Tun Abang Haji Openg, who when he was a member of the council Negeri, had always supported the move in the Council, gave his assent.
Gawai Dayak was formally gazetted on 25th September 1964 as a public holiday in place of Sarawak Day. It was first celebrated on 1st June 1965 and became a symbol of unity, aspiration and hope for the Dayak community.Today, it is an integral part of Dayak social life. It is a thanksgiving day marking good harvest and a time to plan for the new farming season or activities ahead.
Perayaan Gawai secara umumnya merujuk kepada beberapa perayaan masyarakat Sarawak, tetapi pada kebiasaannya merujuk kepada pesta menuai Gawai Dayak yang disambut oleh masyarakat Iban, Bidayuh, dan Orang Ulu di Sarawak untuk meraikan tamatnya musim menuai padi. Pesta Gawai juga dikenali sebagai Gawai Dayak. Pesta Gawai pada kebiasaannya disambut pada akhir bulan May atau awal bulan Jun setiap tahun.
Jenis-jenis Hari Gawai yang lain termasuk Gawai Burung, Gawai Batu, Gawai Kenyalang, Gawai Mangkung Tiang, Gawai Manang dan Gawai Antu.
Gawai Batu (permulaan musim menanam padi), Gawai Burung (perayaan berkaitan dengan sesuatu tanda atau mimpi yang tidak baik), Gawai Bersimpan (kesyukuran setelah selesai menuai) dan Gawai Antu (perayaan untuk roh orang-orang yang sudah meninggal dunia). Antara yang paling penting ialah Gawai Kenyalang dan Gawai Antu. [1] [2]
Pesta Gawai di Sarawak disambut dengan meriah di bandar-bandar dan di desa dengan persembahan tarian, minuman tuak 'arak beras', dan bersuka-ria. Pesta Gawai di Sarawak telah disambut secara besar-besaran semenjak 1964.
Selamat Hari Gawai Lantang Senang Nguan Menua.
