Gawai Dayak
1 - June 2, Saturday – Sunday
South Kalimantan
Traditions
The festivities typically begin on the evening of May 31st, with various rituals and preparations. A central element of the festival is the traditional food and beverages. Popular dishes include pansoh (chicken cooked in bamboo) and lemang (sticky rice cooked in bamboo), as well as tuak, a local rice wine widely consumed during the celebrations.
Traditional dances, music, and craft displays are important aspects of Gawai Dayak. During the festival, families gather in longhouses, which are decorated with mats and hammocks where guests can rest. Families also perform rituals such as miring, a ceremony of offerings to the gods to bring protection and prosperity.
Additionally, traditional attire is worn during Gawai Dayak, with men wearing loincloths and women donning beautiful handmade clothing and jewelry. This festival is not only a significant social and religious event but also plays an important role in preserving the cultural heritage of the Dayak people.