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Bidayuh community that is sinking and not being practiced. This exposure can also provide
useful information as the world progresses. This is likely the spread of religions such as
Christianity embraced by the Bidayuh community and has prohibited them from performing
activities such as ceremonies that violate religious law. In addition to that, the attitude of not
wanting to share about the traditional ceremony of the older generation. This is also because
the distance between them is too far, in addition the new generation mostly lives in the city.
Gawai can be used as a staging so that it does not disappear and is always alive. In addition, it is
also used as an introduction to the Iban community apart from the Gawai Day celebration that
worships the spirit of rice. The gap between the old generation and the new generation is very
significant, in addition, the modern era also causes that it is not communicated using a correct
method, instead it is also communicated only through word of mouth.
This research aims to :-
1. Identify the background of the Dayung Borih through Gawai ritual 417racticed by the
Bidayuh community
2. Detailing the art elements of the fan’s performance theory through Dayung Borih
3. Summarizing elements of the fan’s performance theory by Richard Schechner through
Dayung Borih process.
3. Literature review
"Rasang and the world of the soul: Kendy Mitest's diary entry "Rituals, Symbols, and
Initiation in the rite of a Bidayuh Dayung Borih at Bau Sarawak" examines the roles played by
Dayung Borih in Bau. Dayung Borih plays an important role in the ceremonial functions of many
networks by acting as a bridge between people and the vast world. The custom refers to Dayung
Borih as shamans. This is due to the fact that shamans can travel to the soul world to converse
with a variety of substances, including "world soul." Their duty as a shaman is to aid in the
healing of the infection. To the extent that there are requirements, it is not easy to be selected
as a dayung borih. Only the divinely selected individual can be Dayung Borih.However, once a
person has been selected as a Dayung Borih, they must adhere to a few rules, including not
eating certain foods like taro, bamboo shoots, wild greenery, chicken, or pork. They should avoid
eating deer meat until they die, especially as a dayung borih. In addition, they should not visit
any cemeteries or attend memorial services within a year of abstention. (Mitest 2019)
However, a study by Yvonne Michelle Campbell and Damien Anak Mikeng titled "Dayung
Borih, the conduits of the Bidayuh and the spiritual world" stated that Dayung Borih were
Bidayuh priests. Dayung Borih, on the other hand, primarily serves as healers and mediators.
Through gawai, Dayung Borih will carry out healing. Consequently the Bidayuh people group
accepted that Dayung Borih were a talented ladies that has been chosen by the Spirits.
Additionally, the Bidayuh people hold the belief that women who become seriously ill are
occasionally belligerent. Dayung Borih is the only person who can cure them of the illness
caused by physical contact or other spiritual entities contacting them in dreams. Campbell and
Mikeng claimed that they were chosen as Dayung Borihs at a very young age. The girl will
receive either a Dayung Borih or Sinda' Borih trainer once their parents agree. A Gawai Sibarih
will be performed once she has attained the rank of Dayung Borih. She will also participate in
her call's Gawai rituals. However, Dayung Borih must know that they must learn the ritual songs
called Borih (Nuek, 2002).
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