MIRI: SM Sains Miri is holding Sarawak Bon Fest 2018 today and tomorrow at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club.
According to organising chairwoman Fiona Toh, the programme is starting with a nine-session workshop on Aikido, tea ceremony, Japanese calligraphy, Yukata-wearing lesson, shell charm, Furoshiki or Japanese fabric wrapping, Udon making, Hanko, among others.
“These workshops are running simultaneously in three sessions from 8am to 9.30am, 10am to 11.30am and 2pm to 4pm,” said Toh. Between 12pm to 1pm and 1pm to 2pm, Toh revealed that there will be Nagasi-somen or noodle fishing, for students to experience traditional noodle fishing.
“There will be buckwheat noodles placed in about 40m long flume of bamboo with clean flowing water. During the evening, the event will be open to the public with food booths and information counter. Japanese Summer Festive from 6pm to 9pm will see two performances using shamisen musical instrument and Soran Bushi dance.
Toh added that Japanese is taught as the third language in the school and the programme gives students the opportunity to improve their command of the language and learn more about Japanese culture as well.”
The school’s Japanese language teacher, Nozomi Morita, has the support of Ministry of Education and Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur and Japanese language students from Kuching, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia are expected at the event.
On Sunday, various activities such as Oendan, Japanese lantern, Kamihikuoki, language quiz, Karuta Taikai, Manga drawing, Menko, and sushi-making lesson will be held throughout the day before the closing ceremony in the afternoon. Bon Festival is said to be a traditional festival when the Japanese mark their respect for their ancestors.