GAWAI DAYAK

Friend of Elder Lloyd's celebrating Gawai with his family

On May 31 and June 1, the Dayak people of Sarawak Malaysia annually celebrate Gawai Dayak. Elder Lloyd and the other missionaries don't participate in the celebrations, but it's yet another interesting holiday for this incredibly diverse and rich country. To learn more about Gawai, read Gawai Dayak. 

Elder Lloyd's friend who attends church in Miri - boars head for dinner!

With Elder Lloyd nearing the end of his mission, we've been reminded again of the incredible beauty, diversity, history and brilliant future for this country about which his family knows so little.

Sarawak has more than 40 sub-ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language, culture and lifestyle. Cities and larger towns are populated predominantly by Malays, Melanaus, Chinese, Indians and a smaller percentage of Ibans and Bidayuhs who have migrated from their home-villages for employment reasons.

Ethnic groups in Sarawak^[1]

  Iban (30.3%)

  Malay (24.4%)

  Chinese (24.2%)

  Bidayuh (8.4%)

  Orang Ulu (6.7%)

  Melanau (5.4%)

  Indian (0.3%)

  Other (0.3%)