Kinship terminology of the Bau-Jagoi Bidayuh in Sarawak, Malaysia

Yvonne Michelle Campbell

doi:10.24815/siele.v8i2.19035

Abstract

This paper explores the kinship terms of the Bidayuh of Sarawak, focusing on the Bau-Jagoi subgroup variation as well as their cultural concept of kinship. The data for this paper was obtained through participant observation and interviews with four informants from two villages in Bau District, Sarawak, Malaysia, which are Kupuo Sarasot, located in the Jagoi area and Kupuo Barieng in the Singai area. The data analysis showed that the Bidayuh held on firmly to the Madih concept¸ in which all members of the village are considered ‘one family’. The Bidayuh kinship terms do refer to birth order but with emphasis on the older generations. Gender is not emphasized in the Bidayuh kinship terms but refers to a specific gender. Two main adjectives are added after the kinship terms, which are dari’ (male) and dayung (female). The address terms also focus on the older generations while most of the younger generations are addressed by their names. These two areas, even though considered under one subgroup, have their unique practices when it comes to kinship terms. However, due to modernization and urbanisation, the influence of the Malay and English language could be clearly seen in the Bidayuh address terms, replacing the Bidayuh equivalent.

Highlights

Kinship and family are often based on genealogy (Scheffler & Lounsbury, 1971) and blood relation
Based on the data gathered from the interviews with informants from both subgroups, there were no variations in the terminology of kinship used within the family and community
Besides the Ego’s own extended family, the Bidayuh kinship terms extend to other members of the village and the Bidayuh community as a whole

Summary

Introduction

Kinship and family are often based on genealogy (Scheffler & Lounsbury, 1971) and blood relation. The kinship structure may be more elaborate and complex. They may well include those who are not directly related, especially in terms of genealogy and blood relation. According to Koentjaraningrat (2013) and Read (2015), the kinship system is used to illustrate the relationship between members of a speech community (Aziz et al, 2020). Wood and Kroger (1991) referred to kinship terms “as the establishment of the relative power and distance in a family and relative relations in a society” According to Schneider (1980, as cited in Aziz et al, 2020, p. 643), kinship can be defined as “a cultural system, in which a system of units (or parts) is defined in certain ways according to specific criteria”. Wood and Kroger (1991) referred to kinship terms “as the establishment of the relative power and distance in a family and relative relations in a society” (Aziz et al, 2020, p. 644)

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Conclusion