KUCHING: Bau Town came alive in a dazzling explosion of colour, music and unity as thousands thronged its streets for the second Bau Gawai Parade this evening (May 23).
The usually quiet gold-mining town was transformed into a vibrant sea of traditional costumes, rhythmic gong beats and joyous celebration as nearly 2,000 participants from 91 contingents marched through the heart of Bau in conjunction with the annual Gawai Dayak festivities.
As the bright and humid evening settled over the town, the atmosphere brimmed with excitement and pride.
Recorded traditional Gawai music echoed through the streets, blending with the pounding of gongs, energetic drumbeats and the thunderous cries of “tara, tara, tara” from participants and supporters alike.
Adding to the festive mood were strains of Chinese and Malay traditional music, symbolising the harmony and cultural diversity shared among the communities in Bau.
Leading the colourful parade was Deputy Minister for Transport (Riverine and Marine) and Tasik Biru assemblyman Henry Harry Jinep, accompanied by Bau District Officer Eddy Nayoi and local community leaders.
The parade began at 4.15 pm from the newly completed Bidayuh Cultural Centre after Henry officially launched the event by beating the Gawai drum.
Participants comprising men and women from Bidayuh villages in Bau, non-governmental organisations, associations, government agencies and individuals began gathering hours earlier at the cultural centre, many proudly dressed in elaborate traditional attire.
The streets turned into a moving cultural showcase as participants paraded in beautifully woven Bidayuh costumes adorned with colourful beadwork, silver ornaments, feathered headgear and traditional accessories.
Some carried shields, spears and bamboo crafts, while others walked and waved enthusiastically to cheering crowds lining the roads.
Visitors and locals snapped photographs of the lively spectacle stretching across the 2.8km route covering Jalan Jambusan Lama, Bukit Emas, Jalan Datuk Salau and Jalan Kuching-Bau before ending back at the Bidayuh Cultural Centre.
Organised by the Bau District Office in collaboration with community leaders and the Tasik Biru Service Centre, the event aimed to strengthen solidarity among the Bidayuh and other communities in Bau while showcasing the rich heritage and traditional attire of the Bidayuh people.
The parade also sought to promote Bau as a tourism destination and foster closer ties among the Bidayuh, Malay and Chinese communities.
Now in its second year since its introduction in 2024, the Bau Gawai Parade is fast becoming one of the district’s most anticipated cultural celebrations.
