BAU: A total of 46 primary and secondary students participated in the Jagoithon Bung Jagoi on Saturday (July 29).
The event organised in conjunction with the Bung Jagoi Day celebration saw participants arriving as early as 7am at Bung Jagoi visitor information centre.
Standing at just 1,600 feet above sea level, Bung Jagoi is a small mountain within the Jagoi area here.
Located near the top of the mountain, is a very old Bidayuh settlement which was established back in the 1800s.
Since then, Bung Jagoi has been an eco-tourism destination and a heritage centre where visitors are offered a look at how things were in the past for the Bidayuh people who lived there.
Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep officiated the event’s flag-off at 8am for the primary and secondary boys’ category then later at 8:15am for the primary and secondary girls’ category.
After the flag-off ceremony, Henry together with his wife Datin Christina Esni Mied, Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) president and Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA) chairman Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik as well as other dignitaries followed suit to hike up Bung Jagoi’s summit peak called Bung Tesen.
According to the person in charge of the Jagoithon Bung Jagoi, Direp Nyoheng, the objective of the event is to provide exposure to the young generation on the importance of Bung Jagoi to the Bidayuh community.
He said the participants are from primary and secondary schools in the Jagoi area.
“It is our hope that the young and future generations will not forget about their culture and heritage. The Bidayuh settlement at Bung Jagoi is a heritage from our ancestors, which is something important for them to remember,” he said.
Direp who is Jagoi Area Development Committee member expressed hope for more similar events to be held at Bung Jagoi.
He said last year, the Jagoi Heritage Trail Run received an overwhelming response from local and international participants.
“The Jagoi Heritage Run takes runners across multiple Bidayuh settlements before arriving at the ancestral village on Bung Jagoi. Participants had the choice of entering the 50km, 20km, or 6km routes,” he said.
