KUCHING: Persatuan Segu Bunuk Penrissen (PSBP) and six Bisegu ethnic villages in Penrissen are all set for the staging of its inaugural Brarak & Bipajak Gawai Bisegu 2023 on June 3.
The cultural event, to be held at the Kampung Bunuk longhouse, will involve at least 10 cultural troupes and contingents from Kampung Segu Bunuk, Kampung Sorot Bunuk, Kampung Sumur Bunuk, Kampung Bratan Bunuk, Kampung Punau Bunuk and Kampung Sibatuh Bunuk, churches, women organisations and voluntary bodies.
A big crowd is expected as this would be a grant event organised by PSBP besides the successful Bidayuh Mystic Festival in July last year.
The event will begin with a parade by cultural troupes and contingents from the six Bisegu villages from the nearby Mount Barau Information Centre to the Panggah (head house) of the longhouse.
It will be followed by a Bipajak Gawai (Gawai dinner) at the Panggah and later there will be a stage performance at the awah (verandah) of the Kampung Bunuk longhouse.
Several Bidayuh artistes, namely Rozzie Mila, Stephanie Uok, Ceasar Toriff and Dino have been invited to perform.
This event, among other things, aims to preserve and uphold the spirit and traditions of Gawai Dayak to create a tourism product, and to foster and strengthen the bonds of kinship among members of the Bisegu ethnic group.
Winners of the “Best Dressed Male”, “Best Dressed Female” and “Best Contingent” will also be announced during the event which will also offer lucky draw prizes to visitors.