Sarawak Gawai Festival in Penang

Sarawak Gawai Festival in Penang is one of the major tourist attractions for people visiting Penang. This is the annual festival of tribal communities in the state of Sarawak. Actually known as the Gawai festival this occasion celebrates the season of rice harvest or padi harvesting season. Observed in the state of Sarawak known as the Land of the Hornbills, this festival also speaks about the customs and rituals of the natives of the state like Ibans and Dayaks. It was only since 1964, that the celebration of this harvest festival was taken up in such a large scale so as to be called Sarawak Gawai Festival in Penang. Interestingly enough, the tourists visiting Penang in Malaysia, don’t miss the opportunity of witnessing this festival by traveling to Sarawak nearby.

Features of Sarawak Gawai Festival in Penang

  -  During Sarawak Gawai Festival in Penang, ceremonial offering is performed in longhouses by Ibans, Bidayuhs or Orang Ulu
  -  Varieties of foods and ‘tuak’ or home-made rice wine are given to appease the gods of rice and prosperity.
  -  A poem is recited in the following and then the blood of a cockerel, which is killed for this occasion, is smeared over the offerings.
  -  Then traditional dance is performed in the accompaniment of music
  -  All the members of the tribe wear traditional costumes and showcase the special accessories of each tribe like antique beads or silver jewellery are seen.
  -  After that the locals indulge in feast and drinking of tuak, the rice wine.

Hotels in Penang
Vistana Hotel & Residences	Naza Hotel
Berjaya Georgetown Hotel	Bayview Georgetown (formerly the City Bayview) Hotel
Sunway Georgetown Hotel	Crown Jewel Hotel