The Gawai Dayak Festival held this year has brought a renewed sense of cultural pride, particularly in the Bidayuh. The event showcased an appreciation for the community’s cultural heritage, including their traditional costumes. These costumes, woven with intricate designs and adorned with beadwork, were donned by many, both young and old, in the traditional colors of white, black, and red, symbolizing a deepening appreciation for the community’s rich cultural legacy.
The vibrant display of cultural heritage during the festival marks a positive shift towards preserving the community’s traditions. Cultural costumes are living embodiments of a community’s history and customs. By wearing these costumes, members of the community, especially the younger generation, are actively engaging with their roots, honoring their ancestors, and reinforcing the importance of passing down cultural heritage to future generations.
The Bidayuh community must nurture and encourage this appreciation to ensure the longevity of their cultural legacy, which is an invaluable asset that connects communities to their past, shapes their identity, and fosters a sense of belonging. When cultural heritage is eroded, a community risks losing its distinct identity, and the rich tapestry of its traditions begins to unravel.
Efforts are needed to further sustain and enhance the trend of Bidayuh youngsters embracing their traditional costumes. Creating awareness and fostering greater appreciation must be a collective responsibility shared by all stakeholders, including the community, educational institutions, cultural organizations, and government bodies.
One approach to instill a sense of pride and belonging among the younger generation is to integrate Bidayuh history, traditions, and arts into the school curriculum. Schools and colleges play a vital role in promoting cultural education and awareness. Community-based cultural activities, such as workshops, festivals, and exhibitions, must also engage more Bidayuh youth. These will provide first-hand experiences and a deeper understanding of their heritage, creating a sense of ownership and pride in their cultural identity.
Inter-generational dialogues and interactions between the older and younger generations must be encouraged to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills. Digital platforms such as social media and online resources must also be fully utilized to enable the effective dissemination of information about Bidayuh culture to a wider audience.
The act of preserving cultural heritage should start now, and every stakeholder must play their part. Through cultural heritage preservation, the community can thrive, flourish, and contribute to the rich tapestry of global cultural diversity.
The recent effort of Persatuan Segu Bunuk Penrissen (PSBP) in organizing the first Edition of the Brarak & Bipajak Gawai Bisegu 2023 at Kampung Bunuk on June 3 is commendable. Such events should continue to be organized in every Bidayuh village, especially during the Gawai Dayak, to keep the spirit alive.
In conclusion, let us cherish and celebrate the treasures of our forebears’ cultural heritage and tradition and ensure that they continue to inspire and unite us in the years to come. The preservation of Bidayuh cultural pride and heritage is vital to the community’s identity, and it must be a collective effort to ensure its longevity.
The Bidayuh people are one of the indigenous groups in Sarawak, with a population of approximately 200,000. They have rich cultural heritage, which includes their traditional costumes, music, dance, and rituals. The Gawai Dayak Festival, celebrated on June 1st and 2nd each year, is a significant event for the Bidayuh people, as well as for other indigenous communities in Sarawak.
During the Gawai Dayak Festival, people from different ethnic communities come together to celebrate their cultural heritage. It is a time for feasting, drinking, dancing, and socializing. The festival also provides an opportunity for people to showcase their traditional costumes, which are an essential part of their cultural identity.
The Bidayuh traditional costume is made up of several components, including the headgear, shirt, skirt, and accessories. The headgear is a distinctive part of the costume, and it varies depending on the occasion. The shirt and skirt are usually made of cotton or silk, and they are decorated with intricate designs and beadwork. The accessories, such as necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, are also made with beadwork and are worn to complement the costume.
The traditional costume is more than just a piece of clothing; it is a symbol of the Bidayuh people’s cultural identity and heritage. It represents their history, customs, and traditions. By wearing their traditional costumes, the Bidayuh people are expressing their pride in their cultural heritage and their commitment to preserving it for future generations.
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Bidayuh cultural heritage, particularly among the younger generation. This interest is reflected in the increasing number of young people wearing traditional costumes during the Gawai Dayak Festival. However, more efforts are needed to sustain and enhance this trend.
Preserving Bidayuh cultural heritage is not only important for the community but also for the country and the world. Cultural heritage is a vital part of human history, and it helps us to understand and appreciate the diversity of human cultures. By preserving Bidayuh cultural heritage, we are not only preserving a valuable asset but also contributing to the richness and diversity of global cultural heritage.
There are several ways to preserve Bidayuh cultural heritage and they include:
Education: Integrating Bidayuh history, traditions, and arts into the school curriculum can instill a sense of pride and belonging among the younger generation, creating awareness and fostering greater appreciation for cultural heritage.
Community-based cultural activities: Organizing community-based cultural activities, such as workshops, festivals, and exhibitions, can engage more Bidayuh youth, providing first-hand experiences and a deeper understanding of their heritage, creating a sense of ownership and pride in their cultural identity.
Inter-generational dialogues: Encouraging inter-generational dialogues and interactions between the older and younger generations can facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills. The elderly community members possess a wealth of cultural wisdom and experiences that can be shared with the youth, nurturing their appreciation for their heritage.
Digital platforms: Utilizing digital platforms such as social media and online resources can enable the effective dissemination of information about Bidayuh culture to a wider audience. Creating engaging and interactive content, such as videos, articles, and virtual tours, can pique the interest of young Bidayuh individuals and promote a greater understanding and appreciation of their cultural roots.
Preservation of traditional costumes: The Bidayuh traditional costumes are an essential part of their cultural identity. Preserving this aspect of their heritage is crucial in maintaining a tangible connection to their cultural past. Efforts should be made to ensure the longevity of the traditional costumes by supporting local weavers, providing training for younger generations, and encouraging the use of traditional materials and techniques.
In conclusion, preserving Bidayuh cultural heritage is a collective effort that requires the participation of all stakeholders, including the community, educational institutions, cultural organizations, and government bodies. By preserving and promoting Bidayuh cultural heritage, the community can thrive, flourish and contribute to the rich tapestry of global cultural diversity.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the New Sarawak Tribune.
