Tabi basa & greetings everyone! Today I’d like to share about the recent Gawai at KaSiDi Zone of Kpg Pichin, where KaSiDi stands for Karang, Siluang & Dimbong, named after each distinct zone at the eastern part of Piching, going out to Kpg Tebakang Dayak. While Orang Ulus used their “long” to name their settlement, Ibans used the term “Rumah”, Bidayuhs stick to the term “kampung” although historically, it is usually named after the river. In this case, Kpg Pichin was named after Piching River. The correct pronunciation is Piching, not Pichin.
That’s the funny thing about Bidayuh villages. The spelling is different than its pronunciation. For those who know, they’ll just go by with it, though it often first timers at Bidayuh village. One of the more popular example is Kpg Taee. It is not one syllable, but two. The first part is pronounced as “Ta'”, with an apostrophe, and the second part is “ee”, “ee”as “ey” in “key”. So, it’s Ta’ee. But to make life simpler, it is spelled as Taee. Those who cares to know about it will learn more from the locals.
Being born in 89, I witnessed a lot of changes in the ways we celebrate Gawai. When I was younnger, in the late 90s, we’re still doing a lot of fun stuff during Gawai. Listing it down, it includes chasing ducks game, sports, climbing an oiled pole, shooting money placed on a very tall tree (main caran), inter-zone sport event (Sukan Ntangan). Back then, it was lively. Too bad I was not able to capture it in cameras. My first phonr camera was bought back in 2007, only because I need to use ot for Matriculation.
Entertainment also became more diversified. Previously, it was only bands. Now, we have more choices, including karaoke set. But sadly, the Kaleng Gawai & Dayung Timengen is not a common theme for Piching. I know we have a number of pretty girls and handsome boys, but whether they are interested to join such competition is not known. Your guess is as good as mine.
For this event, it was organised to celebrate Gawai for KaSiDi’s zone. At the same evening also, Paddu & Binyok’s zone also organised their own Gawai. Seems like everyone is doing Gawai for their own this year because there is no kampung-level Gawai celebration as per steer from the JKK. Ironically, if they want to avoid COVID-19 exposure, it seems to backfire because now we actually have much more Gawai. Oh well. I just leave it at that.
This Gawai was officiated by Dato’ Sri Richard Riot, who also organised his own Gawai on 1st June 2022.
This Gawai also joined by local Bidayuh artists including the legendary Bidayuh singer, Mike Rantai and new generation singer, Carrie Geres. Her brothers, Lester and Bernie Geres also can be seen as well as her other half.
Manning the emcee chair is Mr Anthony Siong, who managed to make the night lively as he knows everyone there.
Upon my arrival there, our village chief, Mr Rioi invited me to sit at the VIP table. I was honored. But everytime I return to the table after joget, my chair is stolen by someone with “influence” for no particular reason for a few times. Tired of that shit, I decided to just walk around and do what I do best, to take photographs and mix around the more sporting peoples, especially Lester & Bernie Geres. We had a good chat that night, and thanks to Lester & Bernie for the ride back home. We rock the night until 4.15am in the morning, and ended all of it with This Love by Maroon 5. It was a great night.
Here’s are some of the photos of that great night.
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That’s all for now. Until next time!
Regards,
“Tukang Rantek” Claudius
Follow me on Twitter: claudiusweson
