100km drive from Kuching to Sematan, house visiting to a traditional Selakau’s Gawai Dayak, or also known as Salako.
When I was younger, I use to stay with my best friend in Kampung during Gawai. The atmosphere during the Gawai was truly stunning. It’s about food, family and friends, house visiting and getting drunks during this occasion is not unusual.
We celebrate Gawai Dayak in Sarawak every year on the 1st of June.
Visiting Selakau/ Salako People
A friend of mine brought us to Sebako, Sematan. This is my first time, the experience with Selakau/ Salako — The Bidayuh ethnic in Sarawak was truly a priceless one.
Beautiful mountain, beautiful day, partially modernizes with three essential needs — road, electricity and water. In the pass, Kampung do not get these essential supplies. I remember the only source of light was the kerosene lamp, bamboo lamp, and the beautiful firefly at night.
Selakau/ Salako Music Instruments
Selakau/ Salako Music Instruments Video
Tuak (Rice Wine)
Tuak is a very delicious traditional alcohol beverage made from rice. You will only find this rice wine from The Dayak. Different Dayak ethnic may have a different skill in making Tuak thus, different taste. I definitely in love with the Selakau’s Tuak. In my opinion, they’re the best!
The house rule during visiting; If your host offers you a Tuak to drink, you must try to drink some or at least just a sip to show your appreciation for their hospitality. The modern Dayak is very forgiving, unlike in the old days its all about getting drunk or you’re not getting home. In fact, the modern Dayak would politely ask you if you’re a drinker and serve you the right beverage during Gawai.
Female Tuak and Male Tuak
Maybe it’s only in Salako. There’s a different taste of Tuak, which was associated with gender. The sweet Tuak, was a female, while the slightly sour Tuak was a male.
During our visit, we avoid drinking the sweet Tuak. We believe we get drunk quickly with the sweet Tuak.
Bontokng
Another exotic food I ate during the house visiting was Bontokng, which is also unique to the Salako Dayak. In a nutshell, it was a plain rice wrapped in a leaf. I’m not sure how they cook them, but it sure does taste like a plain rice cake. To enjoy it, you must eat it with Lauk (meat or side dishes).
This post took two years for me to publish on my blog. I wrote it two years ago and I never publish it because I have forgotten about it. The video has since been viewed for more than one thousand times.