Edward (back, third form left) with the Pesta Gelimeh committee. SBA president Catherine Awing Wan is at back, fourth from left.
MIRI: The Sarawak Berawan Association (SBA) is targeting more than 1,000 visitors for its first Pesta Gelimeh from June 10-12 at the Petronas Sports Village.
Organising hairman Edward Laing said the festival in connection with Gawai Dayak will showcase, promote and revive Berawan culture, heritage and traditions. “We have lined up various activities to be participated in during the three-day festival including sports, games, cultural presentations, handicraft sales and stalls, which will be selling mainly Berawan traditional food,” he said after a committee photo shoot yesterday.
“Our main highlight activity would be the Laku competition, which is the singing of traditional Berawan songs, which is no longer popular among the community, especially the younger generation. So we are expecting each of the 13 Berawan longhouses to send their respective participants to take part in the competition as part of our efforts to revive the traditions among the community.”
Edward said SBA plans to hold the festival next year in another location so that Berawan culture could be further promoted.
He said the Berawan community is blessed with tourist spots such as Loagan Bunut and Mulu national parks.
“We will try to take the festival to a higher level as we intensify our efforts in promoting not only our culture and traditions but also to promote local tourism,” he added.