Bidayuh festival at Kampung Bidayuh set to wow

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MIRI: The over 2,000 people expected to patronise ‘Bidayuh Cultural and Food Festival 2011’ at Kampung Bidayuh, Ulu Sungai Dalam Taman Tunku, today could be assured of funfilled and educational events.

The day-long spectacle, organised by Dayak Bidayuh Nasional Association (DBNA) Miri, will start at 9 am.

Organising chairman Captain Bernard Idit, who is also DBNA Miri chairman, said Minister for Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong was scheduled to declare open the event.

Manyin would also officiate at DBNA’s newly completed ’Baruk’ (traditional Bidayuh meeting house) costing RM20,000. There he would present special awards to several outstanding Bidayuh individuals.

”Visitors are assured of plenty of traditional Bidayuh delicacies which would be put up for sale. But this festival is not just about raising funds to finance our association’s activities but to promote our food, which symbolises part of our cultures, to the general public,” Bernard told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Among the delicacies would be bangkang’ (glutinous rice in bamboo) ‘assam’ (chicken rice in bamboo), ‘tiribuh or ayam/fish pansuh (bamboo chicken/fish), tuak (rice wine), and ‘kuih jala’.

Also up for sale would be handicrafts such as ‘lubok’ (rattan basket), and sunhat, which are synonymous with the different Bidayuh areas and villages in the state.

The festival would be a great platform to showcase Bidayuh culture & traditions, arts, and crafts.

It would also nurture Bidayuh talents in, for example, music and story telling.

”Come and join us, especially all our dayak friends. There are many activities, such as ’menyagu’ (sago processing) cooking competition, cultural performances , cultural music, traditional games, and story telling competion for Bidayuh children.

”Attractive prizes will be up for grabs,” he added

Coupons priced at RM10 per book will be on sale during the food fair.