Festival & Events

With the wealth of ethnic groups Sarawak has a wealth of festivals, from local versions of those celebrated internationally to a few homegrown ones unique to the State.
A feature common to all is "open house" where friends, relatives and even strangers drop into homes from the Governor's residence to the most humble kampung house and are welcomed with food and drink.

Christmas
The majority of Sarawak's people are Christians and Christmas is celebrated throughout the State. Unlike the West the festival has not become commercialized and there is no frenzied shopping. Rather it is a religious festival with the emphasis on church and carol services. In many centres there are interdenominational services, some of them held in the open air.

Hari Raya
Islam is Malaysia's State Region and Hari Raya, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan is the most important Muslim festival. For two days Muslims dress in their best, attend prayers at the mosque, give alms to the poor and visit the entertain at the open house.
Food and presents play a big part in Hari Raya celebrations. Visitors are offered curries and a variety of delicious cakes.
Because the date of Hari Raya is determined by the lunar calender, the Millennium year will see it celebrated twice, once in January and again in the late December.

Chinese New Year
Chinese all over the world celebrate the lunar New Year in late January or early February (depending on the lunar calender). Sarawak no exception with Hokkien, Teochiew, Foochow, hakka or Kek all marking the most important date in the Chinese calender. Food plays a big part in the celebration from the family dinners that mark the opening of the festival to the delicacies and cakes served to visitors at open house. Visiting children (and young unmarried people) are given Ang Pow, lucky red packets containing money. Red is everywhere, as the color deemed auspicous. Everywhere too is Lion Dances, with troupes from the local temple performing acrobatic feats to the sound of drums and cymbals to drive away evil spirits. Starting at the new moon the festival goes on for 15 days to the full moon. The final day, Chap go mei, is often called Chinese Valentine's Day for on this day unmarried girls go to the temple to pray for a good husband.