BAU: A group of Bidayuh from a village in Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia strutted their unique ethnic costumes and dances at a Gawai gathering here Saturday.
As in previous years, the villagers of Desa Kambih, Bengkawan in the Bengkayang Regency, were invited to take part in a parade to the Gawai Serumpun Open House event and Gawea Nyebang ceremony in Kampung Gumbang.
Tomo who led the group, was happy and proud to have been invited by the Kampung Gumbang village chief to the event.
“I am very, very grateful and happy to be part of the programme and to be able to meet our fellow Bidayuh community in Sarawak to celebrate Gawai Dayak.
“On behalf of my village, we are proud to represent Desa Kambih. We are happy to be here and to see all the people come together tonight,” he said.
He hoped this can continue in the future to strengthen the bond between the Bidayuh communities from the two countries.
Kampung Gumbang village chief Atok Derop said this tradition has been going on since the 1950’s.
“We have done this many times. We invited them as our guests and every year, during the Gawai Dayak month, we would invite them to celebrate together.
“As far as I know, only Kampung Gumbang does this and we intend to maintain good relationships with Desa Kambih,” he said.
Tomo meanwhile said he would be inviting Atok and villagers together with Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh to witness the opening of a new Baruk Bidayuh next year.
