KUCHING: Datuk Dr Jerip Susil launched a new book dedicated to preserving the heritage and traditions of the Bidayuh’s Biannah people, celebrating it as a cornerstone for cultural preservation and a tribute to the community’s rich history.
The late Charles Bowi Mayot’s book, The Cultures and Traditions of Biannah, highlights the language, customs, and folklore of the Biannah people and was lauded as an essential document that captures the people’s identity and resilience.
At the launch, Dr Jerip emphasised the importance of cultural preservation for the Bidayuh people, recognising the book as a historical record and an inspirational legacy for future generations.
“We must always remember the efforts of our forefathers who built up the area of the Biannah in Padawan, who built up our language that captures the unique identity and resilience of the Bidayuh people,” Dr Jerip said in his speech during the event at the Bunga Sri Rampai Hall here, Thursday (Oct 31).
Additionally, he expressed his gratitude to the late Charles Bowi Mayot and his family for putting the book together.
“I am glad that this book is written as it shall be a reference point for us to put into the cultures and traditions of the Biannah people,” he expressed.
Dr Jerip also said that the Biannah subgroup has strong ties to the Annah Rais Longhouse, known as the ‘Mother Longhouse’.
“The dispersion of the Biannah people arose from the Annah Rais Longhouse, and as time went by, the people spread over and moved up to 13 different settlements.
“But most of them have the same language, culture and traditions, although their musical instruments and traditional clothing are different but they all originate from the Annah Rais Longhouse,” he expressed.
Furthermore, he also expressed his gratitude to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for allowing the Greater Kuching Coordinated Development Agency (GKCDA) to contribute to the community’s development.
“The government has invested significant funding into developing an advanced and progressive tourism product.
“The time will come when the GKCDA project will come into its fruition and full manifestation when Annah Rais become the cultural heritage of the Bidayuh people,” he said whilst giving Japan as an example of the potential for the Bidayuh people to commercialise their culture and traditions.
Dr Jerip hopes that the village of Annah Rais will preserve its culture and traditions so that they will not disappear as time passes.
