Monday, June 11, 2007

Gawai Celebration for the Dayak Community of Sarawak

svajtcoIt has been 6 months since I last wrote. Man, so much has happened.
Ok I'll start with the recent Gawai Dayak celebration that's just passed. Gawai festival is celebrated by the dayak community of Sarawak every 1st of June. It's done to acknowledge the end of the harvesting season (harvesting of paddy that is) and is the most celebrated event of the dayak community of Sarawak Traditionally in tle old days, you'd have lots of events going on, such as cultural shows, longboat races, telematch competitions (for some dayak communities), and of course the inevitable "drinking of rice wine and merry-making". Rice wine has now become a bit scarce due to the considerable effort needed to produce it in time for the celebration, so the dayaks (including myself) have resorted to more convenient sources of intoxication, i.e. white man's brew in the likes of beer or the more formidable whisky. Yes, folks, Gawai is a great way to meet new friends and see / visit new communities especially in the rural areas. Don't just focus on the drinking, lads. Gawai is more of a time to get families and friends together as well as inviting new friends over for a cuppa to share joy and happiness and foster lasting friendship.
I'll post some of my Gawai pics in my next entry.
Selamat Ari Gawai ngagai bala-bala ti ngelala aku.

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