Gawai Dayak Festival

We received an invitation from my brother-in-law's, first cousin's daughter.  I've known the family for years.  Richard's first cousin, Bill went to Malaysia in 1966 and met Julie.  They fell in love and are celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary on Tuesday!  They had two children, Mona and Lisa.  Mona had two children and Lisa had eight children.  They got together to celebrate their heritage and invited their family and friends.  I received this invitation from Mona:

Hello I’d like to invite you guys to our Malaysian Harvest Festival called “Gawai”

Out family is getting together at my aunts backyard in Port Moody and having an Open House where we will have food, fashion show with Malaysian costumes and Malaysian dance performance which will start at 1:00. 

The fashion show and dance performance will be at the beginning but food will be available all afternoon.

Would love to have you join us and try our food etc. from East Malaysia.

The Gawai Dayak is a significant annual festival celebrated by the Dayak people of Sarawak and Sabah, Malaysia, on June 1st. It marks the end of the rice harvesting season and the beginning of the new agricultural cycle. It's a time for family reunions, cultural celebrations, and thanksgiving for a successful harvest. The festival is also a time to make amends, rekindle friendships, and pay respects to the elderly, according to Tourism Malaysia.  

The rain on Saturday was heavy, so we got a text saying they were taking it inside.  Lisa runs a Montessori school in Coquitlam, and it was held at her school.  Her aunt must have a huge backyard because there were over 100 people in attendance!  

Bill and Julie

The immediate family in their traditional dress

The entire family!

The Malaysian food was incredible!  It was all made by family members.  Noodles, Rice, Chicken and Beef Satay with peanut sauce, prawns, and a whole pig!  Many other side dishes and a beautiful anniversary cake!

What a wonderful afternoon with a wonderful family!