Gawai Dayak

Gawai Dayak or Gawai Day is a festival celebrated in West Kalimantan. It is a religious and social occasion. The word "Gawai" means a ritual of festival whereas "Dayak" is a collective name for the native ethnic groups of West Kalimantan. Thus, Gawai Dayak literally means "Dayak Festival". Dayak would visit their friends and relatives on this day.
Up till 1962, the British colonial government refused to recognise Dayak Day. Gawai Dayak was formally gazetted on 25^th September 1964 as a public holiday. It was first celebrated on 1^st June 1965 and became a symbol of unity, aspiration and hope for the Dayak community. This cultural event is rooted in the tradition of most Dayak tribe, namely agricultural ceremonies. Of the various series of  agricultural rituals, ceremonies last from of gratitude for their harvest to the Jubata, the name for God.
As the big day approaches, everyone will be busy with general cleaning and preparing food and cakes. Tuak (rice wine) is brewed (at least one month before the celebration) and traditional delicacies like penganan (cakes from rice flour, sugar and coconut milk) are prepared.
The celebration starts on the evening. Around 6pm or as the sun sets, miring (offering ceremony) will take place. Before the ceremony, Gendang Rayah (ritual music) is performed. Once offering ceremony is done, dinner is then served at the Ruai (an open gallery which runs through the entire length of the longhouse). Just before midnight, a procession up and down the Ruai seven times called Ngalu Petara (welcoming the spirit Gods) is performed. At midnight, the gong is beaten to call the celebrants to attention. The Festival Chief will lead everyone to drink the Ai Pengayu (normally tuak for long life). The celebration now turns merrier and less formal. Some will dance to traditional music played, others will sing the poems. other activities that may follow the next few days include : cock-fighting matches, blowpipe, and ngajat competitions. On this day, homes of the Dayaks are opened to visitors and guests.