The Gawai Dayak Day was celebrated on a moderate scale, but lively, by the Dayak community in Sarawak today with various traditional events.

Sarawak observes a two-day public holiday in conjunction with the celebration.

There are also open houses and one of them is hosted by Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem, who is Serian MP, at his birth place, Kampung Pichin, near here.

The celebration was made merrier with the 'ngabang' culture, the practice of visiting family members and friends.

The Gawak Dayak Day celebration, held at Dewan Terbuka Kampung Pichin, began at 10am with various cultural activities, including traditional fashion show, Dayak dance performances and the Gawai Toast.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak arrived in Miri today for a two-day visit in conjunction with the Gawai Dayak celebration.

He will be paying a courtesy call on Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud tonight before attending a Gawai celebration with the Kenyah community in Long Silat tomorrow.

Najib will also attend the Malaysia Gawai Dayak Open House 2014 at Dataran Kipas tomorrow night.