‘Keep ‘bermukun’ alive among youngsters’

MIRI: ‘Bermukun’ is a unique Sarawakian art that should be preserved to keep this traditional cultural practice of the Malays, Kedayans and Melanaus alive among the younger generation.

Assistant Minister for Solidarity Rosey Yunus said efforts to keep the traditional art alive through programmes and competitions among the young and old alike will ensure it continues to exist as a form of entertainment.

“This is the fourth year the ‘All Borneo Bermukun Competition’ is held here in Bekenu, and the number of participants including young and old taking part is increasing, which is a very good effort to preserve the traditional culture,” Rosey said when closing the ‘Bermukun SeBorneo’ competition organised by Miri FM in collaboration with her service centre and Subis District Office at the Bekenu basketball hall recently.

Also present were Member of Parliament for Sibuti Ahmad Lai Bujang, RTM Sarawak representative Faridah Sulong, RTM Miri controller Tabat Sakai, Subis District Officer Husini Bakir and a political secretary to the chief minister Sarkawi Suhaili.

Over 1,500 people from nearby villages in Bekenu, Lambir, Niah and Suai attended the two-night programme that also included a karaoke competition.

The ‘bermukun’ teams came from Brunei, Labuan, Limbang, Bintulu and Miri, showcasing various costumes, accessories and styles of ‘bermukun’ that entertained the audience.

According to Rosey, the art has been practised for ages and was once a popular form of entertainment among the Malay community in villages across Borneo.

She disclosed that during this period, visitors from other villages would come and joined the ‘bermukun’ at weddings, special occasions and ceremonies as part of the entertainment to showcase their singing and dancing capabilities.

Rosey who is Bekenu assemblywoman said even though the modern music industry is expanding rapidly, the ‘bermukun’ practice still exists as a form of entertainment during ceremonies in Malay, Kedayan and Melanau villages.

She said ‘bermukun’ is also a platform for participants and audiences to interact with each other and enhance closer rapport apart from enjoying the traditional art.

“The culture and tradition would be meaningless if the art is no longer practised, particularly by the new generation,” she said, expressing her concern that the tradition will become extinct if not nurtured and preserved.

She wanted more efforts to be taken to preserve the traditional practice and promised to continue to support next year’s ‘bermukun’ competition.

‘Bermukun’ is a local cultural activity comprising singing, dancing and ‘berpantun’ (rhyming verse) that a form of entertainment in the Malay, Kedayan and Melanau cultures in Brunei, Labuan and Sabah.

Meanwhile, the ‘All Borneo Open Bermukun’ category was won by team Selendang Sutera from Brunei which featured the pair Awang Irwan Rino Nordin and Awang Wan Zuraimi Julaihi.

The duo received RM1,000 and a trophy.

Team Seroja from Limbang took second place while team Putera from Mukah took third.

In the women’s team category, Labuan visitors Kumala Kubamban Binik emerged as the champion. The team received RM600 and a trophy.

Team Merak Kayangan from Kampung Kelulit took second place while Puteri Bintara from Bintulu took third.

The children’s category saw Cabi Goronong from Miri emerging as champions.

Dewa Dewi from Kuala Belait came in second while Aras from Kampung Angus came in third.