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SIBU: Gawai Dayak is supposed to mark the end of the padi harvesting season and the beginning of a new planting season.

However, in this modern era, most Dayak no longer plant padi, instead they are oil palm, rubber and black pepper smallholders and work in the public and private sectors.

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'Celebrate Gawai Dayak to preserve traditional culture' - Metro News | The Star Online

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SIBU: Gawai Dayak is supposed to mark the end of the padi harvesting season and the beginning of a new planting season. However, in this modern era, most Dayak no longer plant padi, instead they are oil palm, rubber and black pepper smallholders and work in the public and private sectors.

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The Melanau people's traditional festival of Kaul will be celebrated with a month-long fair in Mukah, Sarawak. Once a religious ceremony of purification and harvest blessings, it is now largely a cultural event. Traditional garb, delicacies and pastimes will be featured at the fair.

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The Melanau people's traditional festival of Kaul will be celebrated with a month-long fair in Mukah, Sarawak. Once a religious ceremony of purification and harvest blessings, it is now largely a cultural event. Traditional garb, delicacies and pastimes will be featured at the fair.

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MELAKA: Despite going through lean times, the Portuguese community is determined to make the annual Feast of St Peter, or Fiesta San Pedro, a memorable one this year.

The two-day celebration to honour the patron saint of fishermen starts today and the organisers anticipate that the Hari Raya break will help them draw a larger crowd.

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Portuguese community aims to make Fiesta San Pedro a memorable one - Nation | The Star Online

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MELAKA: Despite going through lean times, the Portuguese community is determined to make the annual Feast of St Peter, or Fiesta San Pedro, a memorable one this year. The two-day celebration to honour the patron saint of fishermen starts today and the organisers anticipate that the Hari Raya break will help them draw a larger crowd.

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SPM 2017 - ETNIK BUDAYA: VAISAKHI - PERAYAAN MASYARAKAT SIKH [22 APR 2017]

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A Portuguese Festival - Fiesta San Pedro

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A festive, celebratory and a commemorative experience at the Portuguese settlement signified by the rich Portuguese culture of Melaka.

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What the essence of Vasakhi is about

Published on: Saturday, April 22, 2017

By Balvinder Kaur Kler, PhD
AS a member of the Kota Kinabalu Sikh community, I was dismayed with the report ("Special Day For The Sikhs Today," DE 13th April 2017, P9) and would like to highlight the true importance of Vasakhi for Sikhs, beyond having fellowship through drinking spiced tea.

First, although Vaisakhi is a harvest festival, that is a secondary, cultural celebration.

The true significance of Vaisakhi is a religious one: it is the day we commemorate the Birth of the Khalsa (Order of the Pure), a religious order founded by the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.

On this day, Sikhs were given a common external identity (five articles of faith including uncut hair) and the names 'Singh' (male) and 'Kaur' (female) through an initiation ceremony known as Amrit Sanchar.

To this day, unitiated Sikhs strive to join this order as a commitment to the faith and God.

Secondly, to celebrate religious occasions, the congregation (Sangat) arrive at our house of prayer (Gurdwara Sahib).

Inside the gurdwara, there will be kirtan (devotional shabads similar to hymns) and prayers, whereas outside, the Sangat actively practices Sewa (selfless service) to prepare the Langar, or "free kitchen"

The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev Ji, introduced the free kitchen to the Sikh community to ensure the practice of equality. As long as you are willing to sit side by side, anyone of any faith and background is welcomed to partake in a blessed, vegetarian meal. You should cover your head with a scarf and take your shoes off to do so.

Here, the Sangat donate the rations, cook the meal, serve the food, consume the meal and finally wash up the dishes together. It is a practice in humility regardless of what status you have outside, here, at the gurdwara you serve the sangat. Fellowship is a by-product of doing sewa together regardless of age.

For Vaisakhi, an Akhand Path is held at the gurdwara. Here members of the San at take turns for the continuous recitation over 48 hours of 1430 pages of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

In Sikhism, this religious scripture (Granth is holy book), is regarded as our eternal, living Guru.

It is written in the Gurmukhi script which Sikhs learn at a young age.

Here in Kota Kinabalu, classes are held on Sunday at the Punjabi Education Centre at the Gurdwara under a sllyabus developed by the Khalsa Diwan Malaysia.

For the Vaisakhi Akhand Path, once the reading is complete, a lively ceremony takes place outside.

The Nishan Sahib houses the flagpole, depicting the traditional symbol of the Khalsa (Khanda) on a saffron coloured flag.

As the Khalsa anthem is sung, both the flag and fabric covering the flagpole are replaced to commemorate this special day.

Undeniably, Punjabis who are Sikhs originate from the "land where five rivers meet", (Punj-ab), the agricultural ricebowl of India. It is our culture to celebrate the harvest festival with bhangra dancing (but not in the Gurdwara).

However, the true meaning of Vaisakhi for Sikhs is to commemorate the birth of the Khalsa and the principles of the faith. This is something we should not forget as we drink copious amounts of spiced tea at the Gurdwara.

Balvinder Kaur Kler, PhD

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What the essence of Vasakhi is about | Daily Express Newspaper Online

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By Balvinder Kaur Kler, PhDAS a member of the Kota Kinabalu Sikh community, I was dismayed with the report ("Special Day For The Sikhs Today," DE 13th April 2017, P9) and would like to highlight the true importance of Vasakhi for Sikhs, beyond having fellowship through drinking spiced tea

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Vaisakhi celebration a crowd puller for tourists | New Straits Times

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KUALA TERENGGANU: Malaysia's Sikh culture will continue to be showcased at its best during carnivals nationwide and overseas, to woo tourists to the country.

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Sikh civil servants allowed to take unrecorded leave during Vaisakhi Day | Malay Mail

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KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 ― Civil servants from the Punjabi-Sikh community are allowed to take unrecorded leave to celebrate Vaisakhi Day on April 14. The Tourism and Culture Ministry, in a statement, today said although there is no public holiday for the celebration, the unrecorded leave would...

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Malaysian Studies Presentation The 'Sejarah Melayu' (Malay Annals) noted that the Malays first called them 'Bengali Puteh' (White Bengalis), as the Portuguese brought to mind traders from Bengal but were more pale skinned. In the early years the Malays called the Portuguese

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The Kristang (otherwise known as "Portuguese-Eurasians" or "Malacca Portuguese") are a creole ethnic group of people of mixed Portuguese and Malaccan descent based in Malaysia and to some extent in Singapore. People of this ethnicity have, besides Portuguese, a strong Dutch heritage, as well as some British, Malay, Chinese and Indian heritage due to intermarriages, which is common among the Kristang.

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| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 30 April 2017 | Asia Samachar |

It was a heavy downpour but that did not deter a huge crowd to converging for the My Vaisakhi Fest 2017 in Kuala Lumpur.

People of all faiths converged at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MATIC), just a short walk from the brightly lighted Petronas Twin Towers, to join the Sikh celebration last night (29 April 2017).

"Vaisakhi is also an important promotional efforts overseas," Malaysian Minister of Culture and Tourism Nazri Abdul Aziz tells the crowd in his speech, underlining the fact that Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious.

Some may dismiss the text as a pre-election gimmick. Malaysia is, after all, preparing for its next general elections to decide on who will run the Federal Government. But Nazri has been saying the same thing for many years now. And this is not the first such event sponsored by the state for the Sikhs.

The evening of colour, music, song and dance was organised by the Tourism and Culture Ministry and the Malaysian Punjabi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (MPCCI). Also present was Tourism Malaysia chairman Siew Ka Wei.

The event also presented the various authentic Punjabi food served hot and piping to the guests. They had a chance to taste items like jalebi and ladoo.

Among the performers were bag pipers from Sri Dasmesh Pipe Band, dance troopers Bombay Beat Dancers and Punjabi Virsa, who danced to contemporary Hindi songs, in addition to the traditional bhangra.
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
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Vaisakhi promoted abroad to showcase Malaysia's multicultural fabric, says minister

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 30 April 2017 | Asia Samachar | It was a heavy downpour but that did not deter a huge crowd to converging for the My Vaisakhi Fest 2017 in Kuala Lumpur.

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Schedule and Activities during Festa San Pedro 

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Schedule and Activities during Festa San Pedro 

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The talented children from the Troupa de Santa Maria showing off their cultural rhythm

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The talented children from the Troupa de Santa Maria showing off their cultural rhythm

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Traditional Games during Festa San Pedro 

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Traditional Games during Festa San Pedro 

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Branyo by Kelinci Emas Dancers 2016 (SMKBMSARATOK) ( 360 X 640 )_Trim

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ANY Sikh festival will never be complete without the vibrant beat of the traditional Punjabi dhol drums.

Eight drummers including three girls gave a solid performance during the Penang-level Vaisakhi celebration on Saturday.

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Spreading the joy of Vaisakhi - Metro News | The Star Online

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ANY Sikh festival will never be complete without the vibrant beat of the traditional Punjabi dhol drums. Eight drummers including three girls gave a solid performance during the Penang-level Vaisakhi celebration on Saturday.

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Music and dancing: The Portuguese community of Malacca celebrates - On Stage | The Star Online

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The vibrant music and dance of the Portuguese community of Malacca come alive at Publika tonight.

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Celebrating Chinese New Year the Baba-Nyonya Way,

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celebrating chinese new year the baba-nyonya way

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Celebrating Chinese New Year the Baba-Nyonya Way

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Baba Nyonya family keeps CNY tradition alive

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KUCHING: "Happy Gawai Dayak Gayu Guru, Lantang Senang Nguan Menua" which means "Happy Gawai Day, wishing you health and prosperity" is the usual salutation exchanged among the Dayak community today.

This grand celebration is an integral part of a majority of the Dayak community in Sarawak comprising the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu (including the Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit, Murut and Lun Bawang).

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Tracing the roots of harvest festival - Metro News | The Star Online

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KUCHING: "Happy Gawai Dayak Gayu Guru, Lantang Senang Nguan Menua" which means "Happy Gawai Day, wishing you health and prosperity" is the usual salutation exchanged among the Dayak community today. This grand celebration is an integral part of a majority of the Dayak community in Sarawak comprising the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu (including the Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit, Murut and Lun Bawang).

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The Gawai Dayak is an annual festival celebrated by many of the indigenous local tribes of Sarawak and Kalimantan, the Indonesian state that borders Sarawak. In line with the major holidays of the other main religions of Malaysia, Gawai is celebrated over two days from 31st May to 1st June every year.

Gawai is the Iban word for ritual or festival and Dayak is a collective name for Sarawak's indigenous communities. The festival is a celebration of unity, aspiration and hope, and is an integral part of the Dayak community's identity, especially for the Iban who make up 30% of Sarawak's population and many of whom come from areas within SCORE.

Unique to Sarawak and Kalimantan, Gawai Dayak owes its origins to the age-old traditions of rice planting and the festival symbolises the end of the rice planting cycle, providing the occasion to give thanks for the year's harvest and pray for a better one next year. Many Sarawakians living and working outside of the State travel great distances to be home for the holiday to help out at the end of the season and join in the Gawai celebrations with some coming from as far as the USA and Europe.

In a typical Iban longhouse, various preparations are made as the big day approaches. Tuak, or rice wine, is brewed and many foreign visitors, from tourists passing through to rugged oilmen working the rigs off the coast of Miri, have overindulged in this potent brew and stumbled from a longhouse much worse for wear.

Hangovers are part of the Gawai tradition and the morning after delicacies such as penganan, a cake made from rice flour, sugar and coconut milk; and ngelulun pulut, glutinous rice roasted in bamboo; will soon cure all but the most severe headaches.

Gawai is a festival of many colourful rituals, traditional music, cock fighting, feasting and games. During which almost everyone dresses in traditional costumes, while the elders perform traditional dances.

These multicultural celebrations showcase and preserve the rich heritage of diversity and tradition, as well as contributing to tourism in the area. Since 1986 the local government and Dayak cultural society have supported Gawai Dayak, helping with funding and organisation.

The idea for Gawai Dayak originated back in 1957 during a radio forum presented by Tan Kingsley and Owen Liang, two local radio programmers. The idea generated a lot of interest from the Dayak community. However, the British colonial government initially refused to recognise Dayak Day, citing a concern that other minority groups would expect the same recognition. So it was instead called Sarawak Day, and was meant to be celebrated by all Sarawakians as a national day. However, in 1962, Gawai Dayak was officially recognised.

Today the state puts great emphasis on preserving such traditions and recognises Gawai Dayak as an important opportunity to preserve. Recently, Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem stated, "The Gawai Dayak is a symbol of unity for all the communities in Sarawak," a fitting tribute to a very Sarawakian event.

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" Gawai-3248" (top) and " Gawai-3278" (bottom) by Stephen Bugno is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Images have been cropped, resized and brightened.

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Gawai Dayak Festival - Preserving and nurturing Sarawak's cultures in SCORE | Home

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The Gawai Dayak is an annual festival celebrated by many of the indigenous local tribes of Sarawak and Kalimantan, the Indonesian state that borders Sarawak. In line with the major holidays of the other main religions of Malaysia, Gawai is celebrated over two days from 31st May to 1st June every year.

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MIRI: The Gawai Dayak Parade held in conjunction with the first-ever Miri Gawai Dayak Bazaar was a tremendous success with over 500 people comprising mostly Dayaks in their beautiful traditional costumes participating.

It created history, giving great pride to the Dayaks not only in Miri but to the state and the country as a whole.

The parade was the highlight of the 'Miri 2015 Gawai Dayak Bazaar' mooted and organised by the Miri Unity Chapter (MUC), a Dayak-based non-governmental organisation (NGO).

It started at 4pm from the starting point at Kolej Komuniti in Permyjaya and proceeded to the car parking bays of Permy Mall, the site where the bazaar was held.

Thanks to the weather - it was perfectly fine and favourable - the event ran smoothly.

Leading the parade were the Gawai Dayak Bazaar organising chairman Emmanuel Sawing Kedit and members of his working committee.

The colourful scene was a crowd puller, with over 3,000 people from all walks of life thronging the premises to watch the participants in their traditional costumes.

"This is the first ever event of its kind that I know happening in Miri, since I migrated here from the First Division in 1987," conceded one spectator named Racha Bungan to The Borneo Post.

Racha believed that many might not have seen the costumes before which were adorned with intricate designs and patterns representing the specialty and uniqueness of the Dayaks in terms of their traditional costumes, and of course, their cultures.

"And the togetherness of the Dayaks in this parade also portrays the unity among all," Sawing said, referring to the Gawai Dayak Bazaar theme 'Towards Dayak Unity'.

First Malaysian Infantry Division commander Major General Datuk Stephen Mundaw was the special guest at the parade.

He also officiated at the closing of the 'Miri 2015 Gawai Dayak Bazaar'.

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Historic parade showcases Dayak costumes, unity | Borneo Post Online

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MIRI: The Gawai Dayak Parade held in conjunction with the first-ever Miri Gawai Dayak Bazaar was a tremendous success with over 500 people comprising mostly Dayaks in their beautiful traditional costumes participating.