Gawai Dayak Harvest Festival 2026 Sarawak 2025

Gawai Dayak is the single most significant cultural event on the Sarawak calendar, a joyous harvest festival celebrated by the Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Lun Bawang and other Dayak communities across the state on June 1-2. Officially recognised as a public holiday since 1964, Gawai marks the end of the rice harvesting season. Visitors are warmly invited into traditional longhouses to witness colourful ngajat dances, rhythmic sape music, tuak rice-wine toasting ceremonies and kumang and keling beauty pageants. Savour authentic delicacies such as penganan rice cakes, pansoh chicken and fresh jungle ferns.