Bung Bratak Day on May 1 offers cultural performances, food and half-day gateaway

A view of the sunrise from a Bung Bratak campsite.

KUCHING, April 26: Visit Bung Bratak on May 1 to enjoy an array of colours and sounds through the performances of Bidayuh cultural troupes in their traditional costumes.  

Apart from colourful dances, guests can also savour a variety of Bidayuh food, and the display of artefacts and crafts on Bung Bratak Day.

“Cultural troupes from Lundu, Kuching, Bau and Serian districts will perform their cultural dances with their own music and styles. 

“It will be be colourful and beautiful. There will also be a Bidayuh food festival and show of Bidayuh traditional costumes, artifacts and crafts,” said Bung Bratak Heritage Association chairman Dato Peter Minos in a statement.

Minister of Tourism Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah will be officiating at the event at 10am.

Expressing appreciation for the support of the Sarawak Tourism Ministry, Minos stressed that Bung Bratak Day has been listed in the Ministry’s annual Tourism Calender.

He believes that this year’s Bung Bratak Day celebration will be grander compared to previous years where he is confident that many foreign tourists will be visiting to participate in this cultural celebration in Sarawak.

“Bung Bratak Day is very unique as it is being held in an ancient Bidayuh settlement on a hilltop, in two longhouses and a baruk in a natural setting.

“A foreign tourist from Holland once said in 2018 — ‘You cannot find any other cultural festival more exotic than Bung Bratak Day which is held in an exotic historical location’,” said Minos who is also Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) chairman.

He welcomes all to Bung Bratak Day where there will be no entrance fee.

Hill transport will be provided but trekkers may take the climb to the hilltop; a trail even school children can manage. — DayakDaily