KUALA LUMPUR – As the Gawai Dayak and Kaamatan festivities unfolded back home, East Malaysians on the Peninsular found themselves reminiscing about their homeland’s vibrant celebrations and deeply rooted traditions.
These vibrant harvest festivals bring together not just families but an entire community, they said recently as they celebrated Kaamatan on May 30 and 31, and Gawai on June 1 and 2.
For Frederick Ghia Anak Jelian, an Iban youth from Sarawak, Gawai Dayak is a cherished time for family reunions and traditional celebrations.
“Every year, we return to our longhouse to celebrate Gawai with our relatives. We eat our meals in the ‘ruai’. One of my core memories is the Iban Beauty pageant, ‘Pekit Kumang’, which my cousin participated in. Seeing our traditional costumes in a modern twist is always thrilling.”
Frederick, who now resides in Kuala Lumpur, said that he misses the unique traditions of Gawai, especially the Ranyai tree tradition.
Frederick used to celebrate Gawai in longhouses and other traditional settings, but these days he finds himself in a distant city.
“The people back home also makes a difference when celebrating Gawai, because now that I am currently in KL, I usually celebrate with my other friends.
“It is impossible to recreate the environment in an urban area, thus the sense of community is different. The difference is that I can’t do the things that make Gawai special, like the Ranyai tree.
“The Ranyai tree, adorned with gifts and cut down with a machete during a traditional dance, symbolises nature’s bounty. It’s these traditions that I miss the most.”
Asked about fears West Malaysians may have on Gawai Dayak’s mystical traditions, Frederick said: “The rituals and spirit we honour during Gawai Dayak and Kaamatan are not to be feared but respected. They symbolise our gratitude and connection to our heritage.”
For a fellow student who goes by the name Cherilyn Ameera, 21, a Sino-Kadazan youth from Sabah, Kaamatan is a time for her to connect with family and friends, celebrating the harvest with traditional food and beverages.
However, this year she found herself celebrating Kaamatan in West Malaysia as she prepares to depart for South Korea for an exchange student programme.
“We would celebrate Kaamatan with a huge family dinner and traditional beverages like Tapai and Lihing,” she noted.
Cherilyn recalls a memorable night she had with her friends at the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA).
“My friends and I were celebrating Kaamatan at the KDCA; we drank and laughed together. It was a really eventful and memorable night.”
Cherilyn feels the celebration has remained consistent over the years, with no significant changes.
She underscored the importance of understanding East Malaysian traditions, especially the respect for spirits that plays a central role in their culture.
“My great-great grandmother was one of the last Bobohizan in Penampang. The spirits we honour ensure that our community flourishes.”
Cherilyn said that participating in these celebrations teaches one to embrace cultural appreciation.
“By participating in these celebrations, one can learn that there is nothing to fear but rather much to appreciate and admire about the culture,” Cherilyn said. – June 8, 2024