BEAST OF BURDEN: Yumbut getting his buffalo ready for the Limbang race this Friday.
MIRI: Seasonal buffalo jockey Yumbut Ranang @ Jalak Lintang has his hands full training his ‘beast of burden’ for the race of the year at the upcoming Babulang festival 2013 at Batu Danau, Limbang, from June 7 to 9.
He will be among 40 buffalo riders from Sabah, Brunei, Limbang and Lawas when the unique race gets underway with the thundering of hooves to headline the festival steeped in Bisaya tradition.
“I’m preparing for the race and training my buffalo,” Yumbut told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Yumbut represents his Kampung Batu Danau with a few other riders in the annual race.
A resident in Batu Danau, Kungee Sandhu, said training a buffalo demands time and patience. He said a buffalo will not obey the owner if the wrong signal or sign is given.
“It is challenging but a joy to behold when the animal obeys its master’s commands,” he said of the domesticated beast used for working the rice fields of Asia.
The race aside, Maulana and Ain, Akademia Fantasia 8 artistes, will be entertaining visitors and tourists during the three-day Babulang festival “performing two nights during Pentas Budaya featuring Bisaya and Dusun cultural performances from Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak”, according to Sarawak Bisaya Association President Antonio Kahti Galis.
Malay, Lun Bawang and Chinese troupes will also be performing.