By Ting Tieng Hee
KUCHING: The inaugural Pesta Berumuh, a showcase of Bidayuh culture, heritage and arts at Serian Mini Stadium on March 20 to 23, is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors including foreign tourists.
BIDAYUH SHOWCASE: Joseph (right) and Richmond displaying the Pesta Berumuh programme |
The event publicity officer Joseph Beron said the Bidayuh festival was an occasion to honour their forefathers who left legacies in the form of fruit orchards, villages and native customary rights land to the community.
"It is also a time to celebrate the farming cycle and draw new interpretations and lessons from its spirit, philosophies, approaches and methodologies that can be applied in today’s world,” he said. |
Beyond rice farming, Joseph said Pesta Berumuh was also an occasion to commemorate their tradition, culture and heritage.
It serves as an opportunity for members of the Bidayuh community especially the younger generation to revisit their tradition and heritage, understand and rediscover their cultural identity.
“This festival is also organised to celebrate 45 Years of Sarawak’s Progress in Malaysia,” said Joseph.
The festival features an exhibition and display of Bidayuh traditional arts and crafts, music, cultural performances, food and cooking, tools and implements, games and pastimes.
“In line with the government’s efforts in promoting national integrity, we hope to integrate the community through this kind of activity where other ethnic groups and races will get to understand more about Bidayuh culture and traditions,” said Joseph.
The festival is organised by Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA), with State Secretary Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot as the organising committee chairman.
Meanwhile, Bidayuh Modern Music, Sound and Lighting chairman Richmond Allan said three major competitions would be held during the festival.
They are the Battle of the Bands, Bidayuh Idol and Juara Lagu Bidayuh.
“In the preliminary round of the Battle of the Bands to be held at DBNA headquarters in Jalan Ong Tiang Swee on March 1, 15 bands will fight it out for the 10 final berths.
“On March 8, 18 contestants will vie for the final berths of Bidayuh Idol while 12 contestants will vie for the final spots in Juara Lagu Bidayuh,” he said.
All finals will be staged at Serian Mini Stadium in the evening.
Other events lined up for the three-day programme include traditional and cultural dance performances, exhibition and seminar, community gathering/dinner, parade, beauty pageant, badminton and futsal competitions, presentation and competition of traditional games like stilt walking, gasing (top spinning) and walking on coconut shells as well as modern games including fishing, mountain biking, remote control car and remote control boat, colouring contest and quiz.