Dayak Bidayuh of the Bau-Lundu Region: Demographic Profile and their Perception of Educational Amenities.
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THE SARAWAK MUSEUM JOURNAL |
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Title :
Dayak Bidayuh of the Bau-Lundu Region: Demographic Profile and their Perception of Educational Amenities. |
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Author :
Noran Fauziah Yaakub, Ahmad Mahdzan Ayob and Tonga Noweg |
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Abstract:
Of the 1.3 million people in Sarawak 8.4% of them are of Bidayuh origin, the second largest group of Sarawak natives (Monthly Statistical Bulletin, 1988). To Westerners, Bidayuhare also known as Land Dayaks, which should be distinguished from Sea Dayaks, the name given by Westerners to Ibans. The term Bidayuh,means “we, the people of this area (the hills)’’. Based on 1988 population figures and the birth rate of 2% per annum (Wilson B. Dandot, 1989),we estimate the present Bidayuh population to be around 128,520 persons. The Bidayuh communityare found in 291 villages (in Kuching and Samarahan Divisions); they speak four different dialects (Asmah, 1983; Stephen Jussem, 1989; Robert J. Ridu, 1989). However, the largest group of the Bidayuh community is concentrated in 126 villages in the Bukar-Sadong District. This is followed by the Biatah or Puruh group of Kuching District who are clustered in 81 villages; the third group of 43 villages is made up of the Bau-Jagoi group, who reside in the Bau District; and lastly is the Selako-Lara group living in 42 villages, concentrated mainly in the Lundu District. There are several legends that tell the origin of the Bidayuh (Michael M. Aman, 1989). Some of these legends remain as oral literature, while others have been documented in book form (Sandin, 1980). The Bidayuh are believed to be among the earliest inhabitants of Borneo originating from Gunung Sangkong in Indonesian Borneo (Asmah, 1983). They were said to have migrated to Sarawak to finally settle at Rabak Mikabuh 20 generations before the Karakatoa eruption in 1883. This meant that they could have come to Sarawak in the year 373 A.D. (William Nais, 1989).
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| DOI: XXXX |
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How to cite:
Noran Fauziah Yaakub et al. (1993). Dayak Bidayuh of the Bau-Lundu Region: Demographic Profile and their Perception of Educational Amenities. The Sarawak Museum Journal, XLIV (65): 77-92 |
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References
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