Coca-Cola Malaysia brings Gawai spirit to life at Kampung Annah Rais

Gawai in Kampung Annah Rais came alive in full colour this year as the village opened its traditional Bidayuh longhouse and its doors to visitors to experience a celebration driven by community solidarity and a collective “gotong-royong” spirit.

Supported by Coca-Cola Malaysia, the community-led Gawai celebration which took place from June 1 to 2, 2026, welcomed over 9,000 visitors to experience the “Ngabang” (traditional open house) and shared festive meals, reflecting the true spirit of a communal effort through shared preparations, open houses and cultural expressions.

The celebration was also attended by state Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Dr Jerip Susil.

Rooted in Bidayuh traditions, the longhouse becomes a hub of radical hospitality, where doors are thrown open and locals and visitors gathered over shared meals, celebrating harvests, preserving the rich long-preserved heritage and fostering community harmony across Sarawak.

The festivities also featured a community bazaar offering local crafts, traditional foods, fresh produce and handmade souvenirs, creating opportunities for local artisans and families to share their livelihoods and stories with guests.

A temporary installation shaped like a Coca‑Cola bottle was featured, incorporating paddy contributed by the community as a tribute to the farmers’ hard work. The setup also featured augmented reality (AR) to blend tradition with immersive digital storytelling.

Another standout moment was the historic Coca-Cola mural convoy where 100 GrabCars travelled in unison from Kuching to the village on June 1. Achieved through collaboration with Grab Malaysia and the community, the convoy earned recognition from The Malaysia Book of Records for “Most E-Hailing Cars in a Gawai Festival Convoy”.

The Dayung Sangun beauty pageant lit up the evening with a showcase of Sarawak’s indigenous heritage and culminated in the crowning of Sonia Vivian Rua Anak Gabriel from Bidayuh-Biannah.

The event wrapped up each evening with laser light show that illuminated the night sky, creating a shared moment of wonder and excitement after a full day of festivities.

Kampung Annah Rais village chief Joda Mamung said: “Gawai has always been a time for togetherness, and we feel honoured to open our doors to visitors and share the warmth of our traditions.

“For the first time, we are also happy to welcome Coca-Cola as part of our celebration this year. Their support added to the experience, and we are glad to have shared this meaningful occasion together.

“We are happy our guests left with beautiful memories from our village. This programme also creates economic opportunities for the villagers, while showcasing our culture and hospitality to visitors.”

Coca-Cola Malaysia’s Gawai campaign focussed on collective effort by supporting indigenous communities through the hard work of preparation, traditional meals and vibrant open house gatherings.

Khairul Anwar, public affairs, communications and sustainability director for Coca-Cola Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, said: “What we witnessed in Kampung Annah Rais is a powerful reminder that culture brings people together in the most genuine way.

“We are honoured to support the community behind Gawai and to celebrate alongside them, being part of moments that connect people across backgrounds, generations and traditions.”

As the celebrations ended, the sounds of music, laughter and conversation lingered across Kampung Annah Rais, leaving behind a lasting sense of connection and shared joy. Gawai once again reflected its true essence – a celebration built through collective effort, open doors and meaningful participation.