KUCHING, Sept 9: The annual Irau Aco Lun Bawang Festival organised by the Lun Bawang Association of Sarawak from Sept 2 to 4 ended on a jubilant note with 3,000 participants and 10,000 visitors.
It was a huge success in comparison to the last edition which was held in 2019 during the pandemic.
The 35th edition saw participation in the various cultural events and sporting activities like football, volleyball, badminton, zumba and traditional games where participants from the Lun Bawang communities gathered from countries such as Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.
Throughout the festival, more than 10,000 visitors visited the three key locations where Irau Aco Lun Bawang 2022 was held in Lawas, namely Dataran Bandar Lawas, Arena Lawas and Hotel Seri Malaysia Lawas.
The festival was officially graced by Dato Henry Sum Agong, Deputy Transport Ministry who is also Lawas MP as well as the patron of the association.
Bakelalan assemblyman Baru Bian witnessed the event.
The highlight of the festival was the crowning of its beauty queen and warrior with the titles of Ruran Ulung and Padan Liu Burung, with Kelly Raywyn Cahill representing Kuala Lumpur and Jhonson Elsen from Lawas Damit winning the titles, respectively.
This year also saw the festival featuring star studded performances during the cultural nights, which included artists such as Alena Murang, Meruked, At Adau and Peter Rining Paris.
“We are excited to finally have the festival running after a long wait, and to see and meet with many familiar faces after so long.
“The support the association received was tremendous, especially from the tourism ministries at the Federal and State level, and also private sectors. We certainly look forward to next year where the annual event will be held in June,” said Dolphina Balang, president of the Lun Bawang Association of Sarawak.
Irau Aco Lun Bawang 2022 was supported by Tourism Malaysia, Sarawak Tourism Board and the Tourism Task Force Group Limbang Division with main sponsors including Ambang Angkasa Sdn Bhd, Curtin University Malaysia, Langkawi Pure, the Malaysia Airlines and MAS Wings. — DayakDaily
