Gawai is pretty much equivalent to North America's Thanksgiving. However, the Dayaks have their own way to thank the gods. Usually it involves a sacrificial ceremony. In Sandau Ari, which is celebrated after the Gawai Eve, a pig is sacrificed and its heart is later given to a shaman who will predict the future by "reading" the heart of the pig.
At the end of the Sandau Ari, the host of the event will hang the kelingkang on the gutter of the roof. The kelingkang contents offerings to gods such as eggs, rice wine, pop rice and kuih made from tepung pulut. Later, the host will roll down egg from the rooftop so those who could catch the egg will have good luck.
Oh one more thing, going back to the Eve of Gawai, the most anticipated moment are the drinkng of ' Ai Pengayu'. Literally, ai pengayu means longevity drink. What's the drink you may ask.. .it is home-brewed rice wine or tuak. My grandma usually brewed them a month before Gawai. So drink this on the eve of Gawai at midnight and you will live a long life ;) Here is the video of last year's countdown to midnight. Let me know if you can spot a guest star in the video So Selamat Hari Gawai to Everyone!!! Gayu guru gerai nyamai, lantang senang nguan menua...









