MIRI: Gawai Dayak is more than a harvest festival: it is a celebration of unity that brings Sarawak’s diverse communities together.
Events such as Miss Gawai Sarawak not only honour Dayak heritage but also serve as a bridge to promote understanding and respect across ethnic lines, said Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring), Datuk Gerawat Gala.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Miss Gawai Sarawak 2025 pageant held at the FORUM Cultural Centre in Miri on Friday evening, Gerawat described the event as “a living expression of the ‘Segulai Sejalai’ spirit , walking together in harmony”.
“Gawai is not merely a festival to mark the end of the harvest season. It is a time for us to give thanks to God for past blessings and to pray for a better future.
”It is also a moment for Sarawakians of all backgrounds to come together in unity,” he said.
He emphasised that the pageant was not simply about crowning a beauty queen, but a powerful platform to showcase Dayak culture, creativity and youth excellence.
“Miss Gawai Sarawak is more than just a beauty contest. It is a celebration of identity of the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and other Dayak peoples.
“Through fashion, language and performance, contestants express our rich customs, values and heritage,” he added.
This year’s pageant marks the culmination of the Gawai Traditional Carnival, one of the four flagship events of the Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak Festival 2025.
Thirteen finalists from across the state, each a winner of a divisional Gawai beauty pageant, competed for the coveted title of Miss Gawai Sarawak 2025.
The event is part of the two-day ‘Karnival Gawai Tradisi’ , hosted for the first time here, held at the iconic FORUM Cultural Centre , a landmark for the Orang Ulu community.
Gerawat said it was a proud moment for Miri and for the Orang Ulu community, who were given the honour to host this year’s state-level Gawai celebration.
“This magnificent centre, standing on five acres of land with a government grant of RM37 million, is a symbol of our community’s pride.
“We are grateful to Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, for his continued support of Orang Ulu development and for turning this vision into reality,” he said.
The FORUM building, which has become a well-known feature of Miri’s cityscape, is also drawing visitors, adding to the city’s cultural appeal.
Gerawat also acknowledged the Premier’s substantial contributions to making the 2025 Gawai Dayak celebrations a success, particularly through funding support and recognition of the Orang Ulu as the lead organisers.
“On behalf of the Orang Ulu community, I thank the Premier and the main organising committee, chaired by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, for entrusting us with this responsibility.
“This marks the third time I have chaired the state Gawai organising committee for our community,” he said.
The Miss Gawai Sarawak pageant forms part of the wider Gawai Dayak 2025 celebration at the state level, anchored by four key events designed to honour Dayak heritage and foster cross-cultural unity:
Gawai Bazaar ( May 15 to 25, MJC Batu Kawah, Kuching)
Held over eleven days, this vibrant marketplace brought together more than 180 stalls operated by Dayak entrepreneurs.
Visitors were treated to an array of traditional cuisine, artisanal crafts, textiles and heritage products, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit and cultural richness of the community.
Gawai Traditional Carnival (June 13 to 14, FORUM Cultural Centre, Miri)
Staged over two days and two nights, this cultural showcase featured traditional performances, exhibitions, and the much-anticipated Miss Gawai Sarawak 2025 finale.
Hosted for the first time in Miri, the event marked a historic moment for the city and the Orang Ulu community, with the FORUM Centre proudly standing as the venue.
Niti Daun Cultural Parade ( June 21, Kuching Waterfront)
This year’s ‘Niti Daun’, or Cultural Parade, promises a spectacular display of Dayak pride, with 92 contingents representing a broad spectrum of ethnic associations, cultural groups, and NGOs.
The event will also welcome international and inter-state participation, including a delegation from West Kalimantan led by the province’s Deputy Governor, and a Kadazan-Dusun contingent from Sabah.
Gawai Grand Dinner ( June 22, Borneo Convention Centre Kuching)
The culmination of the state-level celebration, the Gawai Grand Dinner will be held at BCCK and is expected to draw dignitaries and national leaders.
The Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak (Governor) will officiate the event, with the Premier of Sarawak and the Prime Minister of Malaysia among the distinguished guests scheduled to attend.
