KUCHING: While families from the cities have safely returned to their villages and longhouses to celebrate the Gawai Dayak festival, some had to forgo the festive season due to work and pursuing their ambitions.
On June 1, families come together under one roof to celebrate the festival, seeking blessings for the harvest month and honouring the tradition and culture.
However, outside of Sarawak, there are individuals who couldn’t make it back due to work responsibilities and studies, especially in West Malaysia.
Benedette John, 29, has been working in Kuala Lumpur for the past five years and has been unable to celebrate Gawai back home. She deeply misses being with her family during this time.
“I currently work in Ampang. Over the past five years, I’ve missed out on a lot back home, especially during the Gawai Dayak celebration. What I miss most about the festival is our family gathering. My parents, siblings, cousins, and other family members—I miss those moments. We would gather at our longhouse, engage in conversations, and share jokes. That’s what I miss about Gawai; it brings us all together,” she said.
The expensive flight tickets and crowded airports during the festive season are her reasons for not returning to the state. Gawai Dayak holds great significance for Benedette, as it unites everyone, allowing them to spend time with the elderly and continue their traditions at the longhouse.
“When it’s time to celebrate, I usually contact my family through video calls to ask how they are doing. I celebrate Gawai Dayak here by treating myself to good food and hope that my family has fun during the festival,” she added.
Jessica Ranjieng, a 26-year-old post-graduate student, has been unable to celebrate Gawai for three years due to her pursuit of a master’s degree at a university in Kuala Lumpur. She, too, misses being with her extended family, whom she only sees once a year. Gawai eve celebration holds a special place in her heart.
“Since I started my studies, I’ve had to make sacrifices and focus on my master’s degree. However, I really miss celebrating Gawai with my family. It’s usually like this because my studies are demanding, and my schedule is packed with tasks. Moreover, my exams always fall during Gawai week,” she shared.
Being together with family and celebrating Gawai is meaningful to Jessica as it allows her to celebrate her culture and remember her ancestors. It also reminds her to be grateful for the improved livelihoods of the people. As she is unable to return to her hometown this year, Jessica plans to video call her relatives and parents during Gawai Eve.
Rachel Sebi, who started working in Kuala Lumpur nine months ago, cannot return home for the Gawai celebration. With work responsibilities in the way, she missed the opportunity to buy flight tickets to Sarawak.
“I managed to celebrate Gawai last year, so not being able to celebrate it this year feels unusual. I will miss the food and barbeque session with my family, especially the grilled chicken and pork, ayam pansuh, and aik pengayu (tuak),” said the 25-year-old.
Despite being in Kuala Lumpur, Rachel intends to celebrate Gawai by cooking the dishes she misses and the must-have dishes of her family.
“Gawai has always been the centrepiece of our family gatherings. Almost every year, everyone is at home, and it feels like they’ve always been there. I also believe that Gawai is a great opportunity for those curious about their Dayak roots—exposure to customs, rituals such as miring, and listening to the elders’ folk stories,” Rachel shared.
Adriance Dylan, 26, recently returned from overseas for work training and is currently employed in Penang. It has been three years since he celebrated Gawai in Sarawak. While he personally enjoys Christmas holidays more, Gawai holds a special place in his heart, as it brings loved ones and friends together for the harvest season.
“I miss the people back home and the Gawai vibe. The traditional dances and lively music add to the festive spirit. What really brings people together is the food, and it’s a time when family and friends visit every house in the village. I miss that,” Adriance said.
The festival holds great meaning for Adriance, as it allows him to spend more time with family and friends. In Penang, he plans to celebrate Gawai with fellow Sarawakians, embracing the Borneo style.
