By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 10: This year’s Nakod Babulang Festival and Buffalo Race, which has been included in the Tourism Malaysia calendar, will showcase the ‘Bangkar’ ritual, where guests will be transported to the festival site on decorated rafts crafted from wood and bamboo.
Batu Danau assemblyman Paulus Palu Gumbang highlighted that the organiser, the Sarawak Bisaya Association, has in fact revived this ritual two years ago in effort to replicate how the event was done in accordance with the Bisaya’s tradition since time immemorial.
“To facilitate the smooth and safe conduct of this ritual, I urge for the construction of a waterfront in Kampung Batu Danau on behalf of the Bisaya community.
“The waterfront will not only be used during Babulang Festival but will also be beneficial to be utilised as a trading and recreational centre for the surrounding community,” he said when debating the TYT Address in the august House today.
Paulus also expressed gratitude to the Sarawak government for the Nanga Medamit Waterfront project, which is nearing completion.
“In a couple of years from now, Limbang town will pride itself on having the longest waterfront in Sarawak, which is 1.6 kilometres long when fully completed,” he emphasised.
The project is being implemented by the Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA).
According to a media release today, the festival will feature its signature events—the beauty pageant (agak asal), buffalo race (lumba karabau) and Nakod Babulang (welcoming the guest of honour).
Other events include a gong beating competition (tanding bagandang), raft decoration and ride, traditional songs and music performances, including that of other ethnicities in Limbang Division, tug of war (bintal kalat) and the open house. For the youth, there will be sports and games as well as an auto show (motorbike, car and 4WD demo) and remote boat control competition. — DayakDaily
