KUCHING: The Bau Gawai Parade may be held biennially in the future following overwhelming participation in this year’s event, says Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep.
He said the parade, which first started in 2024 with only 800 participants, saw remarkable growth this year with almost 2,000 people from 91 contingents taking part.
“We plan to hold this programme in the future, maybe biennially.
“We cannot do it every year because the spirit must remain strong.
We want to build their excitement to participate again,” he told reporters after the parade on Saturday evening.
Henry said this year’s event had also become more inclusive, bringing together people from various ethnic communities.
“This time we included other races — the Chinese, the Malays, and of course the Bidayuh,” said the Deputy Minister of Transport (Riverine and Marine).
He added that organisers are considering holding future editions in the morning instead of the evening, leaving the final decision to the Bau District Office and community leaders.
“I leave it to the District Office and the community leaders because this programme is under them,” he said.
Henry described this year’s parade as especially meaningful as it was closely linked to the newly utilised Bidayuh Cultural Centre (BCC), which served as both the starting and ending point of the procession.
“When you talk about the BCC, we started utilising it today. If we have a huge building like this, it is great. But without cultural events, something is missing,” he said.
He said the cultural centre had injected new enthusiasm into the celebration and strengthened the community spirit in Bau.
“The BCC makes us excited and strong today. This kind of event is good for the whole of Bau,” he added.
According to Henry, the response was so overwhelming that the hall at the BCC could not accommodate all participants, with some people walking in to register themselves on the spot.
Participants began arriving as early as 1.30pm before flagging off at 4.30pm for the 2.8km route, which was completed within two hours.
“The hot evening did not matter to them. The spirit of the people of Bau is strong,” he said.
He added that the parade plays an important role in preserving culture and traditional costumes among the younger generation.
He also thanked the Bau District Office, community leaders, police, the Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM), Rela, Bau education department, Bau health department and other government agencies for ensuring the success of the event.
