Malaysia – This Sarawak village has kept its Gawai tradition alive for over 50 years
Kampung Taee has organised its annual ‘birarak’, or parade, without interruption for the past 56 years. (TVS Entertainment pic)
In Kampung Taee, generations of Bidayuh families continue to march together in an annual parade that has endured since 1970.
SERIAN: When Malvern Lister watched his two children join the Gawai Dayak parade in Kampung Taee this year, he saw more than a colourful village celebration – he saw a family tradition stretching across three generations.
The 42-year-old first took part in the annual “birarak”, or parade, when he was 10 years old. Decades later, he continues to walk the same route through the village, now alongside his children.
“Ever since I was born, my whole family has been involved in this birarak. Now my two children are taking part too, so that’s three generations,” he said.
“I hope they will continue to keep this tradition alive in the years ahead.”
That sense of continuity lies at the heart of Kampung Taee’s Gawai Dayak celebrations. Located about 60km from Kuching, the Bidayuh village has organised the parade without interruption since 1970, making this year’s event the 56th edition of a tradition that remains deeply woven into community life.
The 5km procession, accompanied by traditional music, gongs and colourful costumes, traces its roots to the Dayak community’s rice-harvesting heritage.
Today, it serves not only as a celebration of Gawai Dayak but also as a gathering that brings together generations of villagers, former residents, and visitors from near and far.
“We take pride in still being able to host this parade every year,” said Malvern. “We hope more people from across the world will come to Kampung Taee to experience Bidayuh culture and heritage for themselves.”
For McWilkins Benadik, 33, the annual parade is also an opportunity to introduce the Bidayuh community to a wider audience.
The father of one said visitors from across Malaysia and overseas regularly travel to Kampung Taee to witness the celebrations and learn more about the customs of the Bidayuh Bukar community.
“These visitors don’t just help showcase our culture globally, they also give a real boost to local tourism and the economy,” he added.
Among those attending for the first time this year was Aaron Richards, 42, from the United States, who now works in Kuala Lumpur.
Invited by his girlfriend, a Bidayuh native of Sarawak, he was eager to experience the celebration firsthand.
“This is my first time joining such an event and I am looking forward to seeing the local culture and interacting with the local people,” he said.
The parade also drew James Handfield-Jones from the United Kingdom, who said his fascination with Sarawak’s rich cultural traditions has kept him returning to Gawai celebrations during his more than 20 years in the state.
Beyond the procession itself, participants stopped at several points throughout the village to interact with residents and take part in cultural activities that form an important part of the festivities.
This year’s celebration attracted about 3,000 people. Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said such events play an important role in introducing the state’s diverse cultural traditions to a wider audience.
ASEAN Digest 
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