KUCHING: About 40 participants took part in a Sharing Session on the Origins and Customs of the Bisaya community at the Legacy Hill Hotel on Saturday (Dec 6).
The Sarawak Bisaya Association Kuching City Branch (PBSCBK) organised the programme to raise awareness of and foster appreciation for Bisaya heritage among the public.
PBSCBK chairman Datuk Jack Liam, in his welcoming address, noted the importance of heritage awareness.
“It is essential for the Bisaya community to understand their origins and cultural traditions, as these serve as a guide for both present and future generations.”
He said that the association also aims to continue its efforts in the future by organising more programmes to engage the Bisaya community, particularly those living in Kuching.
“Our goal is to ensure that Bisaya traditions remain alive and appreciated, so that the efforts and sacrifices of past generations are not forgotten.”
The programme featured speaker Antonius Lapan Sindang, who shared insights into the origins of the term Bisaya and migration theories involving Southeast Asian communities in the 13th and 14th centuries.
He also spoke on the history of the Brunei Sultanate and the presence of the Bisaya people there, who are also known as the Dusun or Sang Jati community.
Antonius further highlighted traditional Bisaya customs, particularly those related to marriage and the Temarok healing ritual, which is practised as part of traditional illness treatment.
