CONVERGENCE MAY - JUNE 2016

Special Feature
Today, Gawai has become a compulsory celebration for the
Dayak people. During this occasion, Dayak people visit family
and friends’ houses, a practice called ‘ngabang’ in Iban
language. War dances, cockfights, and blowpipe competitions
are some other celebrations held during the festival.
Move your feet to Ngajat
Where's the fun attending a festival if there isn't any dancing
involved? During Gawai, the traditional form of dancing is
known as 'ngajat'.
As there is not much information as to the composition or how
the dance spread throughout the state, the dance originates
from the Iban community and has been passed down from
generation to generation.
Within the Iban community, the dance is usually played using
the 'engkeromong' - a musical instrument comprised of small
bronze traditional gongs.
As for the Kayan and Kenyah ethnic groups, the ngajat dance
song is played using a 'sape'. The sape is a string instrument
belonging to the lute family.
Ngajat used to be a dance only confined to the 'ruai' or
corridors of a longhouse and was part of a ritual to appease
supernatural beings during the celebrations. However, over
the years, the dance has gained prominence as it is performed
in the country and internationally.
These days, it is common to have the dance held in open
spaces or halls for public viewing.
During a ngajat performance, a group of musicians would play
musical instruments including the engkeromong, ‘bendai’ also
known as ‘canang’, gong or ‘tawak’ and ‘dumbak’ or ‘ketebong’.
More than a demonstration of indigenous culture
Tracing its roots back to as early as 1957, the Gawai festival was formally gazetted on September
25, 1964 as a public holiday in place of Sarawak Day.
The first official celebration was held on June 1, 1965 and Gawai became a symbol of unity, aspiration
and hope for the Dayak community with it becoming an integral part of Dayak social life today.
Furthermore, the festival is more than a demonstration of indigenous culture for tourists and is
considered as an auspicious occasion for weddings and family reunions.
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