THE Bidayuh communities of Bau in Sarawak and Jagoi Babang in West Kalimantan may be separated by a border, but they are connected by family ties and cultural traditions.
These shared roots were clearly seen during the annual Gawai harvest festival in the Indonesian province, locally known as Gawia Sowa.
The June 1-3 celebration, which showcased traditional rituals and cultural performances, brought together large crowds from both sides of the border, many dressed in traditional attire.
Women from the Indonesian Bidayuh Hlibuei community particularly stood out in their colourful, intricately beaded headgear.
State Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, who led a Sarawakian delegation to the celebration, said it was an opportunity to strengthen cross-border rapport among the Bidayuh communities, whose close ties date back decades.
“The Jagoi Babang in Indonesia and Jagoi Bau in Malaysia have a long ancestral relationship.
“They are now divided by the border between the two nations, but in terms of language, the way of life and culture, they are quite similar, because they come from the same bloodline,” he said.
Henry, who comes from Bau, said it was an honour to be invited to the yearly Gawia Sowa celebration in Kalimantan.
“The Gawai celebration is always about unity and family, so this is a time for us to continue building good ties,” he said.
He added that the relationships between both sides would improve further once the Serikin immigration, customs, quarantine and security (ICQS) complex at the Sarawak-Kalimantan border is completed.
“We are in the process of building the ICQS. It will facilitate the movement of people across the border, while transport and logistics will become very smooth,” he said.
Visitors Hanis Mohd Nor and Presha Nithiya Sagaya Seelan from Peninsular Malaysia, who joined the Sarawak delegation to the festival, were impressed by the local community’s rich cultural heritage and hospitality.
“This is my first time experiencing the Gawai celebration and it’s so good.
“I wish I could spend more time learning about the culture – the traditional dances, attire and so on,” Hanis said.
Presha said it was amazing to see the whole community celebrating with music, dances and food.
“The community here is so welcoming and so lively,” she said, adding that the visit was a chance to experience the local culture.
West Kalimantan deputy governor Krisantus Kurniawan said this was the 186th Gawia Sowa celebration in Jagoi Babang, reflecting the local community’s long-standing appreciation for their culture and traditions.
He added that the Jagoi Babang culture spanned the border, as seen by the presence of Malaysian visitors celebrating together with the locals.
“The Bidayuh community here has celebrated Gawai continuously for 186 years and I am optimistic that it will be even better in future,” he said.
