Gawai Dayak
Quick Summary
Gawai Dayak is a harvest festival celebrated in Sarawak, Malaysia, by the Dayak people. It honors the state's indigenous heritage and is rooted in the harvest rituals and festivities of the Iban and Bidayuh peoples. The Dayak are non-Muslim indigenous peoples of Borneo, primarily living along the island's rivers. Historically, their celebrations involved complex religious practices and intertribal warfare, including headhunting. However, since the mid-20th century, the majority of Dayak people have adopted Christianity. Gawai Dayak broadly celebrates the harvest and is a significant cultural event for the Dayak communities.12
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