History of Bidayuh in Kuching, Sarawak
The history of the Bidayuh in Kuching Division is both colourful and eventful. It was believed that the Bidayuhs migrated from Kalimantan Barat Indonesia to Sarawak long time ago. However, there are some Bidayuh groups claiming that their ancestors came from Kalimantan Barat, Java and Sumatra while others said that they are the original inhabitants of Sarawak. Initially, the earliest Bidayuh settlements were centred at Ulu Padawan and Rabak Mikabuh in Kuching District, Bung Bratak, Dorod Singai and Gunung Serembu in Bau District, Bung Bagak and Sedemak in Lundu District. At first, they made longhouses and Head-houses in their settlements but slowly most of them had abandoned the longhouse concept and replaced with individual houses in the villages. In the olden days, the Bidayuhs were known as “”Land Dayak”. However, today they prefer to be known as “‘ Bidayuh”. In their dialect, “Bi” means ” People” and “Dayuh” means ” Land”‘. Hence, the word “Bidayuh” means “People of the Land”. There are altogether 29 Bidayuh groups in Sarawak. In Kuching District, there are 11 groups, in Bau district there are 5 groups, in Lundu District there are 3 groups and in Serian District there are 10 groups. Based on the records kept at District Office, Kuching, Bau, Lundu and Serian, there are 96 Kampungs in Kuching District, 63 in Bau District, 41 in Lundu District and 135 in Serian District totalling to 335 Bidayuh Kampungs in Kuching and Samarahan Divisions. As a whole the Bidayuhs are hospitable, humble, trustworthy and friendly people who are not only helpful among themselves but also to other communities in Sarawak as well. The Bidayuhs pay special attention on land and soil and indeed the whole surrounding environment with awe, respect and reverence. Land, to the Bidayuh, is a source of sustenance and of life. Even with the advent of modern development and advance economic way of life, the majority of the Bidayuhs are still living in the rural areas where they undertake various agricultural pursuits. During the rule of the Sultan of Brunei, the Bidayuhs were ill-treated by the Brunei Governor in Sarawak. They were forced to work at low wages and sometimes with no pay at all. The Brunei Ruler often took away their paddy and boats. He even took away women and children as slaves. The worst thing was that the Bidayuh villages were very often being attacked and raided by the Skrang lbans and the Malay pirates. Hence, their population was greatly reduced in the olden days especially during the reign of the Sultan of Brunei. When Sir James Brooke took over Sarawak from the Brunei authority in 1841, there was a general peace in the country. The Bidayuh began to move down from the mountains and settled down around the foot of the mountains and lowland areas. Hence, their population increased and villages began to multiply. From a population of 6,792 in 1841, it had increased to a population of 166,756 in the year 2000 based on the Yearbook of Statistics 2001 Sarawak. This community is therefore the fourth largest racial group in Sarawak after the lban, the Chinese and the Malay Communities. The Dayak identity, the origin of the Dayak Bidayuh, their settlement and movement of Kampungs among the various groups are being highlighted in the book. The spread of Christianity in the past and lately the influence of Islamic faith among the Bidayuh Pagan population have greatly adjusted their way of life. The implementation of land development schemes such as oil palm plantations and other agricultural schemes has indirectly raised the living standard of the Bidayuh in the rural areas.
History of Bidayuh in Kuching Division Sarawak
History of Bidayuh in Kuching Division Sarawak
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| I love my Kampung |
Proximity : Near Kedup Oil Palm Mill ( 8 min drive) 0r
Near Mongkos Bazaar.
Church Name : St Francis
Headman : Mr. Augustine
Other Remark : Wireless Telephone., 24 hrs electric supply., Clean mineral mountain pipe water., about 180 houses along kedup river. Produced more than 10 graduates and professionals example Engineers,Forestry,Accountant, Educationist, Administration etc.. 2 youngmen, who is brothers are migrated to England and France with has foreigner wife. Local Bidayuh Singer, Mr.Michael Amban.
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