07 June 2010

How Gawai Is Celebrated by The Bidayuh Community

(The traditional musical instruments: gongs are a must during Gawai)

Kampung Tubih is located on the way to Tebedu Town. It is divided into three villages, namely Kpg Tubih Sg Ujan (Anglican), Kpg Tubih Behem (Sabbath Day Adventist) and Kpg Tubih Mawang (Roman Catholics) If you have friends there, be sure to find the right kampung. Before Gawai Dayak is celebrated, there will be one main event which is organised on the night of 31st May. This event is basically to wait for the clock to strike 12.00 midnight, which marks the start of Gawai celebration.(Live band performance)

While waiting for the clock to strike 12.00 midnight, the villagers were entertained by local Iban and Bidayuh songs. Iban and Bidayuh songs are popular in Sarawak. Local radio stations such as Cats Fm and Wai Fm play these songs on air daily.

(The "Beragung" dance and ceremony)

The "beragung" ceremony started between 9 to 10pm. In this ceremony, dancers, usually the head of the villagers, danced circling the bamboo gadget which contained rice and wines. This happened for 10 minutes.

(Drinking wine from the bamboo)

At the end of the dance, all dancers had to drink the rice wine from the bamboo. Rice wine is a traditional drink for Iban and Bidayuh.

When the clock striked 12.00 midnight, the whole villagers performed a toast using the rice wine (Tuak)

22 Messages:

AmirFX said...

Wasehhh... Best dpt nangga event kedak ya... Lamak juak dah sik pegi event time gawai...

HoneyBUZZin said...

I'd never experience Gawai Celebration. Fantastic pictures you got here! Thanks for sharing.

RoseBelle said...

This celebration is new to me but at least now I read about it, I will be familiar next time I hear about Gawai Dayak.

Norris Thomas said...

wah...best juak eh...Wau Fm ya sepatutnya Wai Fm...beragum ukai beragung ka?
ehehehe....

Willie a.k.a Reptoz said...

AmirFX :Best giler...

HoneyBuzz :You're welcome.

Rosebelle :I hope you will be familiar.

Norris :One thing about bidayuh spelling...there are always not the same. Hahhaa

Jay said...

but sadly threr are more life band than traditional dance nowaday..

Lisa said...

Thank you for the post. I had Bidayuh friends in college, I must try to reconnect.

FBS Headmaster said...

its kind of unique the way the drink the rice wine from the bamboo o_O I always thought that Gawai and Kaamatan celebration is sort of the same but looks like I was wrong, haha. Hopefully I'll get a chance to see how the Sarawakian celebrate Gawai

- said...

alaa...terlambat ni org..huhu

tp xpa...cun seh gmbr..
gong? kami pun ada...sllu guna time org kawin. ngeeee~

rainfield61 said...

I can imagine that when the clock strikes 12:00 midnight, the atmosphere must be similar to when we shout "Happy New Year".

Khairul Onggon said...

ada ku nangga benda nok last sekali ya, tp ku sik penah nangga upacaranya.. tq share gambar ngan info.. :)

Alice Law said...

Interesting... but wonder why they need to 'suck' the rice wine from a bamboo?!!

Have a nice day!

manglish said...

love the 1st pic...very nice...;) i like ur b&w photo leh ahah

Ivy Metaga said...

Gawai mmg best hehe

mrs shaifull said...

bestnya, teringin nak tgk event camtu, except the 'tuak' session :)

Ezvina said...

Happy Gawai!
lamak dah sik nangga upacara camtok.

Icy BC said...

What a celebration, and starting late too..I probably would be in bed. I can wake up early, but can't go to sleep late.

Willie a.k.a Reptoz said...

Jay :That's normal.

OceanGirl :HAhaha..you better.

DanielChiam :I have not seen pesta kamaatan.

Cikgadis :Uih? ya ka?

Rainfield :It was a totally different atmosphere.

MODERN ROBINSON CRUSOE said...

Gawai oso got modern live band performance?....New to me :-D

Ayie said...

it's nice to see people celebrating and following traditions at this modern age

SJB aka SUELYN J-B. said...

I think pesta gawai and pesta kaamatan almost the same kan?.

Unknown said...

How do we actually drink the rice wine from the bamboo? ada lubang kecik kena tebuk la there?