How Sarawakian Dayaks celebrate Gawai, their annual harvest festival


During Gawai, it is customary for them to wear the ngepan - a traditional costume comprising marik empang (a chest ornament made out of beads), knee-length skirt, and a headgear known as sugu tinggi, coin belt and silver bangles. Photos: The Star/Zulazhar Sheblee

Despite the relaxation of pandemic restrictions, Patricia Judin, 46, is scaling down her Gawai celebrations, the annual harvest festival of Sarawak’s Dayak community.

Her only brother David Judin, 48, died five days ago due to health complications, and her family is still coming to terms with their loss.

Subscribe or renew your subscriptions to win prizes worth up to RM68,000!

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Gawai , Dayak , Heritage

   

Next In Living

RM1,530 for a coffee? Scottish farm sells Britain's most expensive cup of Joe
Glenfiddich Invites Malaysian Mavericks To Ask Themselves, ‘Where Next?’
Traditional Sabahan recipes get the spotlight at Oitom by chef Raphael Peter Lee
Sabahan pride: Malaysian chef Linn Yong champions sustainable Sabah ingredients
Meet Wanda, the machine that collects and separates trash for recycling
Hide KL takes you on a delicious modern Malaysian odyssey with its latest menu
How these US children with special needs got to 'walk on water'
Cost of convenience: Coffee pods need and waste more resources than other methods
‘Dubai chocolate’ craze hits Europe as Swiss brand serves up Middle Eastern flavours
A horse in the sea: Tradition of fishing on horseback on the Belgian coast

Others Also Read