KUCHING: About 21 clan associations and cultural clubs are expected to participate in the ‘Brarak & Bipajak Gawai Bisegu 2025’ parade at Kampung Segu Bunuk, Jalan Puncak Borneo, here on June 2.
Puncak Borneo Member of Parliament, Datuk Willie Mongin, said this year’s event is going to be grander in terms of the number of troupes after they decided to invite other Bidayuh villages and clan associations.
He said the response to their invitations had been very encouraging, which indicates that many Bidayuh clans or community still showed great interest in preserving their culture and traditions.
The contingents that had expressed their interest to participate are Persatuan Segu Bunuk Penerissen, Persatuan Biperoh, Persatuan Bisitang, Persatuan Braang, Persatuan Tebia, Persatuan Bianah, Persatuan Perkasakan Jati Diri Mambong, Persatuan Wanita Kawasan Mambong, Kampung Segu Bunuk, Kampung Sorot Bunuk, Kampung Sumur Bunuk, Kampung Punau, Kampung Bratan, Kampung Sibatuh, Kampung Bowang, Persatuan Veteran Angkatan Tentera N19 Mambong, Kelab Belia Kampung Bunuk, DBNA Penrissen, dan Padawan Adventure 4×4 Club, Kuching.
Only six cultural troupes from Kampung Segu Bunuk, Kampung Sumur Bunuk, Kampung Sorot Bunuk, Kampung Bratan Bunuk, Kampung Sibatuh Bunuk and Kampung Punau Bunuk took part in the parade last year.
“We are pleased to welcome all our new participants, who will either be representing their respective villages or associations.
“The response to this year’s parade is beyond our expectation,” Willie said after meeting with the ‘Brarak & Bipajak Gawai Bisegu 2025’ organising committee here today.
Organised by Persatuan Segu Bunuk Penrissen (PSBP), this year’s event is expected to draw about 2,000 people, including participants.
Willie said the grander event could serve as a good platform to not only showcase the unique and colourful Bidayuh culture but also for youths to experience and remember their cultural heritage.
He reiterated that the event is also a great opportunity for the community to show to the world that the Bidayuh still exists, that they have many ethnic groups and many cultures.
He added that during the parade each contingent will showcase their unique costumes and creativities, which might have never been seen in the past.
“Now that we are going to see more contingents taking part, representing various associations and different Bidayuh tribes, we hope this is the beginning of bigger things to come.
“I believe this is also a good avenue for us, the Bidayuh community, to foster strong bonding among our community, whose costume, music and culture may differ in some ways,” he said.
Like in the previous years, the contingents will converge at the Bung Barau Tourist Information Centre before they march to and around the Kampung Bunuk Longhouse and end the parade there.
Willie, who is also the patron of PSBP, will lead the VVIP contingent which also comprises the ketua kaum of the participating villages and association.
Prizes will be given to the best contingents under two different categories: the Besegu Bunuk and invitation category.
The parade will be flagged off by the Deputy Minister for Transport and Mambong assemblyman, Datuk Dr Jerip Susil at 4:00 pm.
At night, Dr Jerip will also officiate at the ‘bipajak Gawai’ or Gawai dinner and cultural performances.
Also present at the meeting was PSBP Chairman, Gabriel Michael Tomi, Secretary Aden Nagrace, and the event organising committee chairman, Eric Niru.
