To participate, kindly contact the designated persons or purchase online here.

MIRI: A web portal, www.bidayuh.info (bidayuh.info), set up by members of the Bidayuh community, will be holding its sixth annual gathering and family day on Dec 27 and 28 in conjunction with the coming Christmas holidays.The two-day event will take place at Rayan Deer Farm-Stay in Kampung Segong, Singgai, Bau near Kuching.

According to bidayuh.info chairman James Douglas, among programmes planned for the event are barbecue, fun games, ice-breaking session, selling of bidayuh.info merchandises, photography by professional photographers, karaoke and lucky draws.

The participants will also be brought to tour the Rayan Deer Farm-Stay where they will go jungle trekking and also get to feed the deer.

“A professional tattoo artist will also be on hand to provide temporary and permanent tattoo services to interested participants,” said James yesterday.

He said participation fee is RM35 per adult and RM10 per child aged between 6 and 12 years old while children under six years old can join for free.

The fee will include free flow of cordial drinks, a buffet dinner and a barbecue session.

“For those who wish to spend the night, accommodation is also available but at first-come-first-serve basis as there are only 35 beds available,” he said, adding that Rayan Deer Farm-Stay is an eco-tourism resort owned by a fellow Bidayuh, William Jinep, and is located about 30 minutes’ drive from Batu Kawah MJC.

For reservation, those interested can contact James at 013-8084656(West Malaysia); Clarence James (016-8507048-Kuching), Ritchie Cosmas (014-6999221-Kuching) and Christopher Andrew (016-8648871- Miri).

Elaborating on bidayuh.info, James said it was founded and developed by a fellow Bidayuh, Clarence James, who was at the time based in Japan. With assistance from friends Christopher Andrew, Ritchie Cosmas, Dougal Miting and a few more internet-addicted Bidayuhs who were, prior to this, could only communicate with each other online through internet relay chat (IRC) and other free internet forum.

www.bidayuh.info was launched into cyberspace on April 21, 2004.

Bidayuh.info currently has 900 registered members and the number is increasing with membership from overseas locations such as USA, France, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan and United Arab Emirates, apart from Malaysia.

“Our objectives are to gather all online Bidayuhs around the globe to communicate, share ideas, establish business networking and also re-tracking relatives, friends and even loved ones,” he said.

Currently, the members of bidayuh.info comprise not only Bidayuhs but also other communities such as Malay, Chinese, Kayan, Iban, Melanau and those from West Malaysia.

“In other words, we are supporting our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s 1Malaysia concept by making our online portal accessible to all.

“This is made possible because we do not use Bidayuh language as our main mode of communication, but English and Bahasa Melayu.

“But we do have sub-forums for members who wish to use their own dialects,” he said further.

Meanwhile, members of the public who wish to know more about bidayuh.info and its upcoming event can log onto http://www.bidayuh.info.

News source: Borneo Post

It was learnt through oral history that the original Luga bloodline descended to Sumang anak Buhod, my father’s late mum. The Luga clan travelled from Bugau then moved to Tembawang Tampun, West Kalimantan of Borneo. They migrated to Semabang (now Gahat), only later to split into two sub-clans that resettled at Tesu and Seroban. Roughly in the 1900′s or maybe earlier, the Seroban splinter relocated further to Rayang. Long before the inception of the name “Rayang” it was earlier known as reyu(saliva) after a “salivating” rock that made the Rayang river.

Standing L-R: Stephen Naidi Gadug (bassist), Wilfred Saet Gadug (deceased) (lead guitar) , Francis Juwap Sungam (rhythm guitar)
Squatting: Nelson Nyampal Rangking (drummer)

Not in picture: Alban Apan Gadug (deceased) (main vocal), Stephen Duek (deceased) (2nd vocal), Edmund  Aten (guest vocal)

The etymology of the name “Luga” had influenced many new derivation such as Lugas, Luger, Gadluger etc. De Lugas, the rock and roll band was the brainchild or Asher Lugas’ granddad and his younger brother, Wilfred Saet (deceased). De Lugas is basically the plural form of the Luga’s clan. They were the hot band during their time which now remains a legend, survived by remaining three members. It is very unfortunate that the Bidayuh people were not yet introduced into audio-visual recording technology during their time. The remnants of their legacy, a lost tape of their live recording was only partially rescued from a fire tragedy that destroyed their entire collections. Despite of the poor sound quality due to partially fungus on tape and partially result of the fire, five of the remaining good tracks were successfully restored and remastered .

Listen here to one of their hit called “Amang Alui” (All rights reserved. No reproduction in any form allowed):

De Lugas – Amang Alui.mp3 – De Lugas

De Lugas – Amang Alui

Gatuh Mang Alui gatuh
Gatuh tingun dihan
Palui Mang Alui palui
Neun iju da atuh kadam

Chorus 1:
Bala dingan ku kidingah pilajar
Sama ra mpuan sama bilajar
Sama ra mpakat pilajar inya
Dapih da asat pidaan simua

Maan Mang Alui maan
Maan minan kasam
Palui Mang Alui palui
Tangan gagu da uwah payan

** solo **

Nyalak Mang Alui nyalak
Nyalak ngeban anak
Palui Mang Alui palui
Anak rangkai da atuh pentu

Chorus 2:
Bala dingan ku kita bilagu
Lagu bigenan ndi ati ndi awang
Aba ngilangkah amang dengan andu
Kita bilagu dengan senang awang

Kayuh Mang Alui kayuh
Ngayuh lanting tering
Palui Mang Alui palui
Nkabut asau da puun tering (2x)

Song/Lyrics: Stephen Naidi Gadug
Vocal: Alban Apan Gadug (deceased)
Lead Guitar: Wilfred Saet Gadug (deceased)
Rhythm: Francis Juwap Sungam
Bass: Stephen Naidi Gadug
Drum: Nelson Nyampal Rangking

And the bloodline continues with the birth of Asher Lugas!

During Datuk Patinggi Mohd Najib, the Deputy PM’s visit to DBNA headquarters, one of the attraction that grabbed everyone’s attention was a couple of gigantic Bidayuh drums called Sebang.

Each measuring about 2 ft in diameter and 12 ft long, roared thunderously in the otherwise tranquil neighbourhood of Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, followed by deafening applause of Tera … Tera Tera Tera … oh oh oh … hi hi hi … welcoming the DPM, sending wild eerie echo across Kuching City.

During the recent working visit to Sarawak, YAB Datuk Patinggi Mohd Najib awarded an RM4 million windfall to Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) headquarters at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee, Kuching.

His arrival was welcomed with full traditional Bidayuh sights and sounds.

The allocation is from the federal goverment for the DBNA to build a new multi-purpose hall near the headquarters.

According to Sarawak State Planning Unit (SPU) 2008 Statistics, there are 166,756 Bidayuhs from 2.1 million total population of Sarawak. Simple mathematics – if we’re to distribute that RM4 million to all 166,756 Bidayuhs, each of us will get RM23.98. That’s a very little amount  of money. My hope is that the DBNA would not spend lavishly on the multipurpose hall but put aside some amount into the education fund especially for assisting bright Bidayuh students from poor families.

YBs, community leaders (Temenggong, Pemanca, Councillor, Ketua Kaum, Political bodies, Religious Leaders, Professionals, Educationists, etc) came in full force together with the Bidayuh rakyat.

After the ceremony, YAB Datuk Patinggi Mohd Najib took some time to mingle around with the rakyat.

The Deputy Prime Minister also browses through the exhibition accompanied by YB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr.) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang, YB Datuk Michael Manyin anak Jawong Datuk Michael Manyin and YB Datuk Peter Nansien.

Thank you to the Deputy PM and to the federal government for recognising the Bidayuh community and acknowledging our needs.

DBNA Klang Valley held it’s first AGM and dinner since it was registered as the 21st of the Dayak Bidayuh National Association. The event took place on Nov 29^th 2008.

The association’s pro-tem Chairman, later on elected as the official Chairman made his opening speech.

The AGM was witnessed by the headquater’s secretary, Mr Walter Dior.

There were about 30 people that attended the AGM and dinner. Poor turnout than expected but better than March meeting.

Launching of the DBNA KV official website, bidayuhklangvalley.com.

Members and guests joined in the feast, courtesy of Restoran Pucuk Ubi.

Some of the new members who registered that night.

Guest of honour, Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad who is the patron of the restaurant and who’s wife is also a Bidayuh, joined DBNA members in the dinner.

Polling result of the new committees.

Line up of the new committee members.

Congratulations to newly elected committee members. Thank you to present and new members for coming. Hope to see more Bidayuhs in KL signing up as DBNA KV members.

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