BIDAYUH TRADITIONAL COSTUME
 
By
 
Jonas Noeb, Henry Langgie and Gerald Gilbert Oscar Sindon*
 
 
Who are the Bidayuh?
 
The term "Bidayuh" initially referred to the Land Dayaks in Bukar-Sadung.  It was strictly applicable to them only.  However, after the formation of Malaysia, the generic term "Bidayuh" refers to the whole Land Dayak community, including the Lara and the Salako in Lundu District.

The Bidayuh consists of many groups and sub-groups.  There are four main groups (i.e. Bukar-Sadung of Serian District, Bau-Jagoi of Bau District and Salako-Lara of Lundu District).  The Pinyawa, Tibia, BiAnah, BiBraang, BiSapug, BiSitang, BiBenguh, Biatah are sub-groups of the BiPuruh. BiJagoi, BiBratak (Bisouh), BiSingai and BiRois are the sub-groups of the Bau-Jagoi.

The Bidayuh were the first people to settle in Sarawak ?before any of the other races now found among them? (Staal, 1940) and they were the principal inhabitants of the original territory acquired by James Brooke (MacDonald, 1956).  From what was the then ?original Sarawak? they extended also into Dutch Borneo (Roh, 1896). The writings of these writers indicated that the Bidayuh were the earliest people to inhabit Sarawak.

 
 
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# Paper presented at the Bidayuh Traditional Music, Songs, Dance and Costume Workshop held at Museum Tun Razak, Kuching on 16 - 17 May 1998.

* Mr. Jonas Noeb is a Headmaster of SRB St. Teresa, Serian.  Mr. Henry Langgie (BBS) is an Agency Manager of Arab-Malaysian Insurance, Kuching.  Mr. Gerald Gilber Oscar Sindon is a schoolteacher.

Received on November 16, 1999.
Published on the Internet by courtesy of Mr. Ahi Sarok (January 05, 2000)
Re-Published for bidayuh dotcom by courtesy of  Mr. Ahi Sarok (May 03, 2000)

Citation:
Noeb, J., H. Langgie and G. G. O. Sindon. 1998. Bidayuh Traditional Costume. Paper presented at the Bidayuh Traditional Music, Songs, Dance and Costume Workshop held at Museum Tun Razak, Kuching on 16 - 17 May 1998. 10p. (http://www.geocities.com/dayung_biatah/bidcostum.html)

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