KUCHING: Traditional costumes and cultural pride will take centre stage at the second Bau Gawai Parade this Saturday (May 23).
The colourful celebration is expected to draw thousands of participants and spectators as Bau once again comes alive with the vibrant heritage of the Bidayuh and wider Dayak communities.
Organised by the Bau District Office in collaboration with village chiefs and community leaders (KMKK) as well as the Tasik Biru Service Centre, the annual parade has quickly become one of Bau’s signature Gawai events since its introduction in 2024.
Bau District Officer and organising chairman Eddy Nayoi said spectators can look forward to a spectacular showcase of traditional Bidayuh and Dayak costumes, reflecting the uniqueness and diversity of the communities in the district.
The parade will begin at 5pm from the Bidayuh Cultural Centre and conclude at the same venue after covering a 2.8-km route through Jalan Jambusan Lama, Bukit Emas, Jalan Datuk Salau and Jalan Kuching-Bau before returning to Jalan Jambusan Lama.
A total of 91 contingents are expected to participate, involving representatives from Bidayuh villages throughout Bau, non-governmental organisations, associations, government agencies and individual participants.
According to Eddy, around 2,000 registered participants are expected to join the parade, although the actual turnout could be much higher with walk-in participants and visitors attending the event.
“The parade is not only about celebrating Gawai but also about strengthening solidarity among the Bidayuh and other communities in Bau,” he said.
He added that the event also aims to showcase the culture, heritage and traditional attire of the Bidayuh community while promoting Bau and Sarawak as tourism destinations.
At the same time, the programme seeks to foster fellowship and closer ties among the Bidayuh, Malay and Chinese communities in the district.
Apart from the parade itself, visitors can also look forward to a lively evening programme at the cultural centre featuring live band performances, lucky ticket draws and a live telecast of the Malaysia Cup final between Kuching City FC and Johor Darul Ta’zim F.C.
With strong community participation and festive spirit expected throughout the evening, this year’s Bau Gawai Parade is set to further strengthen its position as a major cultural attraction in the district.
