Exploring Malaysia 
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Gawai Dayak
The harvest festival which gives thanks to the gods and spirits for the bounty of the land is celebrated by the Dayak, which generally refers to the Iban, Bidayuh and the Orang Ulu communities in Sarawak. The native rituals involve the elders performing traditional rites involving communication with the spirit world, ancestral worship and feasting with friends and family of the whole community dressed up in their traditional costumes. Tuak (rice wine) and an array of traditional food are generously served in every longhouse.
Celebrated mid year on June 1 and 2, unofficially the festivities begin during the last week of May and continue through mid-June. In Kuching, celebrations start a week before with colourful street parades and cultural activities. Gawai Dayak is one of the best and the most interesting time to visit Sarawak as you can see and sample the lifestyle and its festivities.
Kaul
The Melanau community festival or Kaul which appeases the spirits of the sea, land, forests and farm, celebrates the end of the rainy season and the start of the fishing season in late March or early April. The festival is celebrated on different days in the many Melanau settlements along the coast. The Tibou, the death defying 20-foot high swing, is one of the highlights of Kaul, where you see youths dive from a high bamboo scaffolding to catch a swinging liana rope as it reaches the height of its arc. Kaul is a colourful festival with highly decorated boats, beach games and lots of delicious Melanau food.
Sarawak Regatta
The Sarawak Regatta involves expert boatmen proving their prowess in a battle of speed to the heart thumping beat of ‘war’ drums. It is an offshoot of the Baram Regatta held on the Baram River which involved a contest between huge war canoes to settle rivalries without resorting to bloodshed.
