Multifaith Dayak Bidayuh Family
Posted by tunabdulrazak on 27/12/2008
From Left: Swisserikin, Pak Paulus and Mrs -Waiting for an audience with Governor Cornelis in Jakarta, 7 Nov 2008.
Jack of Jalan Stephen Yong, Jompis of Kampung Kandis and myself went ngabang, in Jack’s Full Time 4WD Toyota SUV to Lina’s house in Kampung Krokong.
All Lina’s sibblings and Julia’s (Lina’s sister) kids converse with her mother / grandmother in Bahasa Malaysia. Lina and Julia converse with their kids in English. Julia’s kids converse with their father, a Malay, in Bahasa Malaysia. Lina’s mother conversed with us in Sina Dayak Bidayuh. The kids converse amongst themselves in a mixture of Bahasa Malaysia and English.
Lina’s Muslim nephew talked to me in Bahasa Malaysia. I answered him in Sina Dayak Bidayuh. His correct response showed that he understood Sina Dayak Bidayuh. He whispered to me, “kamek Islam”. I feel so sad because at that age of 8, in his grandmother’s house, he had indicated that he is more proud being a Malay, than a Bidayuh.
We drank beer, while Lina’s Malay brother-in-law opted for coca-cola. No pork was served, but I presumed we could have had it in the kitchen, if we wanted to. But then it was 3.30 pm, and our tummies were full to the throat.
The Dayak Bidayuh community is loosing Julia, a Doctorate Of Philosophy holder, because she is no longer a Dayak Bidayuh. She, whose income is three times of her husband’s, does not contribute to Bidayuh’s progress anymore, but contributes to the progress of her husband’s community.
She is raising a Malay family unit, with Bidayuh Muslim mother. When she dies, she leaves behind a Malay family, who will inherit whatever she has and who will vote, think, plan, work, behave and dream as Malays.
Why do lots of Bidayuh lady intellectuals opt for Malay husbands?
What is wrong with us, Bidayuh males?
