FOR A WORTHY CAUSE: Jabu showing the three volumes of Bidayuh Wordlist. Also seen are Wilson (right), Manyin (second right) and Ik Pahon (left). — Photo by Chris Bishop
KUCHING: The Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) has officially launched its Bidayuh Wordlist, in the form of three volumes to promote and preserve the ethnic language.
It will soon embark upon its fourth volume, thanks to a grant worth RM40,000 Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang pledged during the ‘Bidayuh Gawai Nite’ held in connection with the Bidayuh Cultural Symposium 2013 last Saturday.
Jabu said he could not be more pleased to see DBNA compile three books on the Bidayuh language, and hoped that the association would start working on its subsequent material in no time.
“I can tell that the three books have included comprehensive words in Bidayuh. To encourage further similar efforts, I hereby pledge RM40,000 in total to continue compiling the wordlist.
“Dayak Cultural Foundation will give RM20,000, Salcra can contribute RM10,000 because the Bidayuhs have been very supportive of Salcra and I contribute RM10,000 from my MRP (minor rural project) grants,” he said when representing Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud to grace the dinner at DBNA Multipurpose Hall at Jalan Kumpang, Off Jalan Ong Tiang Swee here.
Earlier, Minister of Human Resources Datuk Richard Riot Jaem called on the Bidayuh community to put their heads and hearts together in coming up with ideas and feasible ways to preserve their unique culture.
“A dinner like this is a time to look to the future with optimism and joy, and a time also for all of us to turn a new page in the annals of our rich culture and heritage,” said Riot who is also Serian MP.
He said he believed that DBNA would be presented with plenty of opportunities for cultural interactions and exchanges, both domestically and at the global arena. Numerous significant events would be carried out this year to mark the 50 years of Sarawak’s independence in Malaysia, he pointed out.
“All communities, the Bidayuh included, can contribute in many ways to make our state of Sarawak and our country, Malaysia ‘Truly Asia’ with our unique, diverse and rich cultural heritage,” Riot stressed.
Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong asserted that the Bidayuh ought to move beyond the practice upheld in the 60s and 70s by their ancestors.
He said the community were regionalised in the past, making them not marketable. Hence, he was glad that things had changed for the better with many of them able to catch up with other groups in the state.
“We must continue to enhance the unity of Bidayuh so as to progress with the rest of the groups in Sarawak,” he said.
Among those present was DBNA president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik and Regional Corridor Development Authority (Recoda) chief executive officer Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot.