Introduction – Bidayuh is the name for several indigenous groups found in sothern Sarawak, Malaysia. 

The name bidayuh means “inhabitants of land.” 

In sarawak, every 40km there will be a bidayuh population. 

They are the second largest Dayak etnic group in Sarawak. 

The speak jagoisalako 

The Bidayuh Sarawak are traditionally animist, which rituals centred on the padi planting circle. Today there are not many villages practised and absorbed this old tradition, though they still celebrated the Gawai Festival or “Gawai Sowa”. It a merry and fun time where families members come together from far and wide to celebrate this once a year celebration.

In Sarawak, the gazetted holiday is on 1st. June but the actual celebration time varies from each villages or kampong. In some places, the celebration started in mid May and ended with a grand “ Gawoi Sowa” celebration in Mid June.

As time gone by, many Bidayuh Sarawak were converted to Christianity and left the old Bidayuh Tradition and Culture. Majority are Roman Catholic, some joined Anglican, SIB, Baptist and other small Christian Church. A small number are converted to Muslim either through marriage or out of their own free will.

Those that still practise the Old Tradition are not many as the new generations are unwilling to carry on the tradition. Some community leaders, organization and individual in the Bidayuh community have taken the initiatives to teach and encourage the new generation to carry on with the tradition so that they won’t get lost in the transition. It is important for the community to maintain some aspect of their tradition and culture for the future generation.

-traditionally Animist

-currently majority is Christian (81%)

- folk religion (11.6%)

-Islam (2.4%)