Each year on 1–2 June, Sarawak comes alive for Gawai Dayak — the harvest festival that marks the end of the rice season and the start of a new year for the Iban, Bidayuh and other Dayak communities. And at the centre of every celebration is tuak.
Why tuak matters at Gawai
Gawai is, above all, a thanksgiving for the rice harvest — and tuak is rice, transformed. Brewing begins weeks in advance, as families prepare bottles to welcome the steady stream of guests who visit from longhouse to longhouse. To share tuak is to share the year’s good fortune.
The rituals of the pour
- Miring — a ceremonial offering led by the Tuai Rumah (longhouse chief), where tuak is raised in thanks for the harvest and in blessing for the year ahead.
- Masu pengabang — guests are welcomed with a serving of tuak before they may enter the longhouse; hospitality begins at the threshold.
- Ngajat & togetherness — as the night unfolds, tuak fuels the dancing, singing and storytelling that bind the community together.
A traditional Iban blessing captures the spirit of it all: “Gayu guru, gerai nyamai” — long life, health and prosperity.
How long does Gawai last?
Officially, Gawai Dayak is a two-day public holiday in Sarawak, 1–2 June. In practice, the celebration runs much longer — open houses continue through the rest of June as families welcome visitors from other longhouses, towns and even overseas. It’s common for a household to host multiple rounds of guests across the month, each occasion calling for its own round of tuak.
What to bring to a Gawai open house
If you’re attending as a guest — including in Kuching or further afield, where many Dayak families now celebrate — a bottle of tuak is one of the most welcome gifts you can bring. It signals respect for the occasion and gives your host something to pour for the table. A labelled, dated bottle from a craft maker travels well and makes a thoughtful alternative to bringing tuak home-brewed by someone else’s family, especially if you’re new to the tradition yourself. Pair it with kuih or other festive snacks if you’d like to bring more.
Choosing a tuak for Gawai
Whether you’re celebrating in Sarawak or marking Gawai from afar, the right bottle depends on the moment:
- For toasting: a classic Rice Tuak, served at room temperature in the traditional way.
- For gifting: our 24K Golden Tuak Serai or a custom miniature set.
- For something memorable: the bold, unmistakably Sarawakian Tuak Lada Hitam, made with the state’s famous black pepper.
Selamat Ari Gawai — may your harvest be plentiful and your cups never empty.
Gawai today isn’t confined to the longhouse. In Kuching and other Sarawakian towns, open houses, dinners and gatherings mark the season just as warmly, often blending Iban and Bidayuh custom with city life. Visit our Kuching showroom ahead of the season and we’ll help you choose bottles for your own celebration or gifting round.
However you celebrate, Tuak Atelier is here to help you do it well. Explore our Gawai gifting or browse the full collection.