The Bidayuh itself mean the inhabitants of land, is the second largest Dayak

ethnic group in Sarawak after the Iban. The Land Dayaks as they also known
could be found living in kampong or villages in Serian, Peniressen, Padawan,
Bau and Lundu in Kuching Division and along the border with Western
Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Eventhough they are group under Bidayuh but are further grouped under 3
main linguistic namely; Bukar-Sadong, Singai-Jagoi and Biatah. These groups
are further into divided depending on area of dominical and the spoken dialects.
Among these sub-grouping are;

Those speak Singai-Jagoi could be found living in Bratak, Singai,

Krokong and Jagoi area.

Those living in Penrissen speak Bisitang, while whose staying in Kampung

Bunuk speak "Bunuk" (Segu-Benuk)

Those living around Siburan vicinity speak Biatah

While Bidayuhs who live around Serian such as Tebakang, Mongkos,

Tebedu to Tanjung Amo near the border of Kalimantan Indonesia
speak Bukar-Sadong.

On the other hand the Bidayuhs living in Padawan speak several but
related dialects like Bi-anah, Pinyawa, Braang, Bia', Bisepug &
Emperoh/Bipuruh.

As they dont understand each other well, Malay and English are the language of
choice for communication with each other.

The ancestor of Sarawak Bidayuh first came to Sarawak, which was then under
the rule of Brunei Sultanate, from West Kalimantan, some Bidayuh groups
claimed that their ancestors came from as far as Java and Sumatra.

They first settled at the lowland but had to move inland due to regularly
hostility from the Skrang Iban, the Malay Pirate and the oppression from the
Brunei Nobility. They built longhouses and ceremonial hut within their fortified
settlement on hills and mountains.

These earliest settlement were centered at Ulu Padawan and Rabak

Mikabuh in Kuching District, Bung Biratak, Mount Singai and Gunung
Serembu in Bau District. While Bung Bagak and Sedemak is located in the
Lundu District.

The community leader had taken the initiatives to revisit and develop these
early settlement sites for their historical significance and promoting them at
tourist sites. Bung Biratak in Bau District is one of such place. Mount Singai
which is now a site for theCatholic Memorial Pilgrimage Centre is another one.

When the hostility and oppression stopped during the Brooke Era, many of the
Bidayuh migrated to the lowland in searched of farmland and setting up new
settlement or villages.

There are not many Bidayuh Traditional longhouses left as majority of the
villages live in single houses. Among those villages that still have the traditional
longhouses are;

Kampong Annah Rias and Kampong Benuk in Penrissen Area

Kampong Mongkos in Serian Area

Kampong Stass in Bau District

And a model of a Bidayuh Village at Sarawak Culture Village in

Santubong, Kuching.

Bidayuh Culture, Tradition and Belief.

The Bidayuh Sarawak are traditionally animist, which rituals centred on the padi
planting circle. Today there are not many villages practised and absorbed this
old tradition, though they still celebrated the Gawai Festival or Gawai Sowa. It
a merry and fun time where families members come together from far and wide
to celebrate this once a year celebration.

In Sarawak, the gazetted holiday is on 1st. June but the actual celebration time
varies from each villages or kampong. In some places, the celebration started in
mid May and ended with a grand Gawoi Sowa celebration in Mid June.

As time gone by, many Bidayuh Sarawak were converted to Christianity and left
the old Bidayuh Tradition and Culture. Majority are Roman Catholic, some joined
Anglican, SIB, Baptist and other small Christian Church. A small number are
converted to Muslim either through marriage or out of their own free will.

Those that still practise the Old Tradition are not many as the new generations
are unwilling to carry on the tradition. Some community leaders, organization
and individual in the Bidayuh community have taken the initiatives to teach and
encourage the new generation to carry on with the tradition so that they wont
get lost in the transition. It is important for the community to maintain some
aspect of their tradition and culture for the future generation.

Bidayuh Dance, Songs and Musical

Instrument.

The Bidayuh Sarawak dances are design and centred on the tradition and belief,
and they are parts of the rituals during the Gawai Celebration. Among them
are, Boris, Ngikarand ngrinang which would be accompanied by music
from the agung ensembles.

These dances were performed by Dayung Boris or Bidayuh maiden dress in

traditional costume led by the Ketua Gawai.

The traditional bidayuh songs were mantras sung to their ancestors, giving
thanks and appreciation for the good health and bountiful harvest during the
year. It is also to seek for their blessing and guidance towards a healthy and
good harvest in the year to come.

This is a dying tradition as not many of the new generation willing to learn and
carry on with the tradition. These mantras and songs are also difficult to learn
as there are no written references and they were passed down orally from each
generation to the next.

The future of the Bidayuh.

Traditionally the Bidayuh Sarawak was involved in padi planting both dry and
wet padi. The dry padi were planted on hill slope on a rotational basis, while the
wet padi were plated on swampy group.

With the introduction of cash crops like rubber, cocoa, pepper and palm oil,
many have left to venture into planting these cash crops. Those that continue
with planting padi have dwindled.

As the new generation of the Bidayuh Sarawak get better education and more
knowledgeable, many gained employment with public and private sector, a
number of them are also self-employed; running their own business.

The Bidayuh Community of Sarawak which were once considered to be timid

and nave is getting more progressive and knowledgeable. Many of the villages
have access to primary education, public health facilities and other amenities.

Click Bidayuh Sarawak back to Sarawak Community.

Our People - Bidayuh

Bidayuh is a collective name for several indigenous groups of people living the southern part of Sarawak.
They are noted for their hospitality and warm smiles. The name "Bidayuh" means "people of the
land". "Bi" mean "people" or "orang" and "Dayuh" mean "Land". They are also known as the Land
Dayaks, a term first used during the time of James Brooke, the first White Rajah (king) of Sarawak.

Bidayuh costumes in the trade mark black and red colour combination. The hat, known as
'Tirinak', belongs to the 'Bukar Sadong' Bidayuh group (Serian area). And to the right is a
Selako Bidayuh (Sematan area).

They are the second most numerous group of Dayak tribe after the Ibans. They come from the areas
around Kuching and Samarahan divisions. The Bidayuh of different areas speak their own dialect. These
dialects are not mutually intelligible, and as a result, the Bidayuhs often have to depend on using English
or
Malay
as
a
common
language.
The Bidayuhs are known for their 'Ogong' gong ensemble, gigantic drums and a unique bamboo
percussion instrument known as the 'pratuakng'.

'Pratuakng' of the Biannah group (Padawan)

'Bukar Sadong' Bidayuh from Serian

Wearing of brass rings by the Bidayuh ladies from Kpg (villlage) Semban, Padawan is a dying culture.

Districts where the Bidayuh form a majority include Lundu, Bau, Penrissen, Padawan, Siburan and
Serian. There are a number of tourism attractions in the region they live in such as the boutique rivers and
limestone caves to enjoy kayaking and caving activities, longhouse visits, homestay, village stay, orang
utan and rafflesia experiences and; the coolness of the Borneo Highland Resorts. You can find more
information at Sarawak... where adventure lives