Gawai Dayak, also known as Hari Gawai, is a traditional festival celebrated by various Dayak tribes, including the Bidayuh, to mark the end of the harvest season in late May or early June.

It was officially recognised as a public holiday on September 25, 1964, and is now celebrated annually on June 1.

This festival is celebrated to express gratitude to the Gods, or Petara, for the crops harvested during the season and to protect against negative spirits for the upcoming harvest.

Preparations for the festival can take up to a month in advance.

Brewing Tuak

Tuak is a traditional rice wine served during the Gawai Dayak Festival. The brewing process is typically handled by the older generations.

Traditional Delicacies

The Bidayuh prepare traditional delicacies, such as penganan (snacks made from glutinous rice flour, sugar, and coconut milk), in advance for Gawai Dayak.

Miring Ceremony

The Miring ceremony is an offering to the Petara (gods) for blessings such as health, happiness, financial well-being, and prosperity.

The offerings are presented on a plate called piring, and the ceremony is typically performed by the chief of the tribe.

Traditional Delicacies

The Bidayuh would prepare traditional delicacies such as penganan (snacks made from glutinous rice flour, sugar, and coconut milk) in advance for Gawai Dayak.

Ancestor's Day, or Hari Moyang, is an annual ritual festival celebrated by the Mah Meri tribe as a symbol of respect for their ancestors.

There are two types of Hari Moyang which are Hari Moyang Laut and Hari Moyang Darat.

Hari Moyang Laut is celebrated after Chinese New Year, but the exact dates are uncertain, as they are typically based on the dreams of the elders, or Tok Batin who communicate with the spirits.

Panglima Hitam Ceremony
The Mah Meri tribe comes together to clean the Balai Tok Panglima Hitam and perform the Main Jo'oh dance, seeking blessings, village safety, and crop fertility from the spirits of Panglima Hitam.

Decorating Balai Moyang
Villagers gather nipah palm and nibong leaves to decorate the Balai Moyang and salong (ancestor's seat), hoping to receive blessings for the continued celebration of the festival.

Parade from Balai Moyang to the Sea

The Mah Meri tribe parades to the beach and waits for the tide to lower, as the ceremony is performed at the sangga, an altar in the middle of the sea.

Ceremony at the Sangga
The ceremony is led by the Moyang Bangku and supervised by the Tok Batin. The Moyang Bangku begins by offering food to the ancestors, while others perform the Main Jo'oh dance, seeking protection, forgiveness, and a better life in the new year.

The Kaul Festival is an annual thanksgiving celebration held at the end of April.

Although the Melanau people come from different religious backgrounds, they still celebrate this festival together.

Boat parade

The festival begins with a boat parade along the Mukah River, extending to its end. The boats carry seraheng, which are like baskets used to hold food offerings for the river god.

Seraheng (food offerings)

After reaching the end of the Mukah River, the Seraheng is taken to a designated location to be offered to the spirits of the sea, land, and forest.

Traditional games played at the festival

Tibau (a large swing made from rattan) is a traditional game where participants hold onto a rope, climb up the ladder, and swing until they lose momentum.

Traditional dances at the festival

During the festival, there are many traditional dances performed, such as the Alu-alu dance and the Seraheng dance.

The Ugadi festival is believed to mark the day when Brahma, the Creator, formed the universe, according to the Hindu trinity.

Ugadi also signifies the beginning of Vasantakalam (the spring season), during which farmers prepare for the upcoming planting season.

It is celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Telugu calendar.

Preparations begin a week before the festival, with Telugu families cleaning and decorating their homes.

They also perform prayers to the goddess during a special ceremony called the Goddess Nokalamma Festival.

Oil bath

The Telugus would wake up early before the dawn and take an oil bath (a mixture of castor, coconut, and mustard oil) symbolising a fresh new start and the removal of negative traits.

Panchanga Sravanam

Panchanga Sravanam is the most anticipated ritual during Ugadi, where the almanac’s predictions for the year ahead are read in the temple.

Eating together with friends and families

The main dish for Ugadi is Ugadi Pachadi, a mixture of six different flavors: tangy, sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty. It is believed that those who eat this dish on an empty stomach will have a harmonious future.

In Kerala, India, Onam is celebrated for 10 days. However, in Malaysia, the Malayalee community celebrates Onam only on the 10th day, which is Thiruvonam day.

The main reason the Malayalee people celebrate Onam is to mark the return of King Mahabali from the Underworld (Patalam) to reunite with his people once a year, on Thiruvonam day.

Cleaning and decorating houses

Like other cultures, the Malayalees also clean and decorate their homes for the festival. They decorate their houses with decorative lights and pookalam (a flower arrangement or design made on the ground).

Traditional clothes

Women – Women wear a kesavu in white and gold, such as a white kesavu with gold threads.

Men – Men wear a mundu tied around their waist, also in white and gold, to honor Lord Vishnu (the gods).

Feast like a King!

The Malayalees prepare and enjoy Onam Sadhya with their loved ones. Onam Sadhya is a big meal consisting of 10 to 15 traditional dishes, all eaten together on a banana leaf.

Prayers

The Malayalee people would pray to Lord Vamana and King Mahabali, seeking prosperity, longevity, happiness, and a bountiful harvest.

Other activities

The Onam festival day continues with traditional dances, music, and games.

Introduction

Bidayuh culture

Mah Meri culture

Melanau culture

Telugu culture

Malayalee culture

Reflection