Tracing the roots of harvest festival

Christine Lyana teaching her nieces (from left) how to cook bamboo chicken at Kampung Semaba in Kuching. Cooked with tapioca leaves, turmeric and ginger, bamboo chicken is a traditional delicacy served during the Gawai Dayak festival. — filepic

KUCHING: “Happy Gawai Dayak Gayu Guru, Lantang Senang Nguan Menua” which means “Happy Gawai Day, wishing you health and prosperity” is the usual salutation exchanged among the Dayak community today.

This grand celebration is an integral part of a majority of the Dayak community in Sarawak comprising the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu (including the Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit, Murut and Lun Bawang).