KUCHING: The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is actively diversifying its tourism products by introducing the latest instalment of lighted pop-up festival series.
This whole month of May, festival goers can experience the inaugural ‘Ooo Haa! Gawai Pop-Up Market 2025’.
The event brings together community, culture and colour in two unforgettable weekend festivals to be held at the centres of Sibu town and Miri City.
Starting from May 16 to May 18 at the Sibu Visitor Information Centre Garden, and again from May 23 until May 25 at the Miri Visitor Information Centre Garden, this family-friendly, open-air market promises an immersive Gawai Dayak experience.
The festival celebrates the indigenous traditions of the Iban, Bidayuh and other Dayak communities through food, dance, music and ritual.
Entrance is free, with festivities running daily from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
“This event is more than just a festive gathering, it’s a chance to honour and share Sarawak’s indigenous heritage with everyone,” said STB’s Chief Executive Officer, Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor.
“Through storytelling, music, food and games, we invite all Malaysians and travellers alike to experience the warmth, beauty and living culture of Gawai,” she said.
“Each evening, the festival showcases the rich cultures of the Iban, Bidayuh and other Dayak peoples through sacred rituals like the ‘miring’ and ‘ngalu temuai’, soul-stirring sape melodies, and nightly cultural performances under the stars.
“Randau Gawai, a community storytelling session, offers visitors a rare insight into ancestral knowledge and the deeper meaning behind Gawai traditions,” she said.
For those seeking play and adventure, the market features traditional games such as the blowpipe challenge, arm wrestling, and ‘batak lampung’, offering interactive fun and friendly competition for all ages.
Set amidst lush gardens, the Visitor Information Centres in both places will transform into vibrant yet serene spaces where nature and community intertwine in celebration.
A curated selection of 15 vendors in Sibu and 30 in Miri will offer handcrafted goods and an array of local food and heritage delicacies, including smoked meats, jungle produce, rare traditional snacks, and heirloom recipes.
At the heart of the festival lies Birami Gawia, a moment of communal celebration where guests connect over shared meals, laughter and cultural exchange, an embodiment of the unity and gratitude that defines the Gawai season.
Previous editions have included the Twinkling Christmas Market, Spring in the City (Lunar New Year), and Ramadan Mubarak Market – each offering a unique glimpse into Sarawak’s rich multicultural identity.
This whole month of May, festival goers can experience the inaugural ‘Ooo Haa! Gawai Pop-Up Market 2025’.
The event brings together community, culture and colour in two unforgettable weekend festivals to be held at the centres of Sibu town and Miri City.
Starting from May 16 to May 18 at the Sibu Visitor Information Centre Garden, and again from May 23 until May 25 at the Miri Visitor Information Centre Garden, this family-friendly, open-air market promises an immersive Gawai Dayak experience.
The festival celebrates the indigenous traditions of the Iban, Bidayuh and other Dayak communities through food, dance, music and ritual.
Entrance is free, with festivities running daily from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
“This event is more than just a festive gathering, it’s a chance to honour and share Sarawak’s indigenous heritage with everyone,” said STB’s Chief Executive Officer, Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor.
“Through storytelling, music, food and games, we invite all Malaysians and travellers alike to experience the warmth, beauty and living culture of Gawai,” she said.
“Each evening, the festival showcases the rich cultures of the Iban, Bidayuh and other Dayak peoples through sacred rituals like the ‘miring’ and ‘ngalu temuai’, soul-stirring sape melodies, and nightly cultural performances under the stars.
“Randau Gawai, a community storytelling session, offers visitors a rare insight into ancestral knowledge and the deeper meaning behind Gawai traditions,” she said.
For those seeking play and adventure, the market features traditional games such as the blowpipe challenge, arm wrestling, and ‘batak lampung’, offering interactive fun and friendly competition for all ages.
Set amidst lush gardens, the Visitor Information Centres in both places will transform into vibrant yet serene spaces where nature and community intertwine in celebration.
A curated selection of 15 vendors in Sibu and 30 in Miri will offer handcrafted goods and an array of local food and heritage delicacies, including smoked meats, jungle produce, rare traditional snacks, and heirloom recipes.
At the heart of the festival lies Birami Gawia, a moment of communal celebration where guests connect over shared meals, laughter and cultural exchange, an embodiment of the unity and gratitude that defines the Gawai season.
Previous editions have included the Twinkling Christmas Market, Spring in the City (Lunar New Year), and Ramadan Mubarak Market – each offering a unique glimpse into Sarawak’s rich multicultural identity.