Gawai Has Evolved, But Dayak Traditions & Culture Must Be Preserved
SRI AMAN: The celebration of Gawai Dayak today is noticeably different from how it was observed in the past, but the customs and cultural heritage of the Dayak community must continue to be preserved to prevent them from being lost to the passage of time.
Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Francis Harden Hollis, said that most Dayak communities celebrating Gawai today are only able to maintain its cultural and traditional aspects due to changes in lifestyle and religious practices.
According to him, Iban communities living in longhouses in the past celebrated Gawai according to their respective needs, with greater emphasis placed on the performance of specific rituals.
“Today, however, most Iban people have embraced Christianity, and Gawai celebrations are now more focused on preserving cultural traditions such as wearing the baju burung, ngepan, and performing the Ngajat Ngalu Pengabang dance.
“Although it is different from the way it was celebrated in the past, these customs and traditions must continue to be preserved because they form the identity of the Dayak community,” he said.
He said this while speaking at the Ngabang Dayak 2026 Programme at Rumah Suntie, Sebujok, Ulu Undop, here on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Datuk Francis, who is also the Simanggang Assemblyman, encouraged the Iban community to continue incorporating elements of their customs and traditions when welcoming visitors to longhouses during the Gawai celebration. -UKASnews
