VISITING Pontianak, West Kalimantan, in May, one can witness Gawai Dayak, a well-kept cultural tradition with all its festivity.

Gawai is the Dayak word for feast. Officially, this event has been held since 1986. It took place for the first time when Soejiman was governor of this province. In Pontianak, gawai is held once a year, every May 20. On several occasions, it failed to be held for several reasons, for example the outburst of inter-