The Bung Bratak Heritage Centre sited in Kampung Tembawang in Bau.
KUCHING: Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) will help promote Bung Bratak, a 1,000-foot hill in Bau traced as the ancestral home of the Bidayuhs of the Jagoi-Bratak group.
Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) chairman Datuk Peter Minos said this was expressed by Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during a courtesy call recently.
According to Minos, Abdul Karim and officials from his ministry and STB would also join the Bidayuhs for the Bung Bratak Day celebrations to be held on the hilltop on May 1.
“The minister’s visit (on May 1) will be part of an exercise to promote Bung Bratak as a Bidayuh historical-cultural centre. Set up at a mountain top of virgin forests, Bung Bratak offers the best of mountain scenery, a waterfall, fresh spring water, fresh mountain air and all things related to nature and the environment.
“Bung Bratak is also a historical centre, being the original ancient home of the Jagoi-Bratak Bidayuhs, who first settled there over 750 years ago from a place called Sungkong,” said Minos.
He also said the Bung Bratak Heritage Centre (BBHC) is first of its kind in the world. It was completed in 2018, comprising two traditional longhouses, one for accommodating up to 100 persons and one for a seminar or conference hall, office and mini museum on Dayak arts and culture amongst others.
The centre was initiated and developed by BBHA, and fully financed by the federal Ministry of Tourism at a cost of RM8 million. It was built by Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak through an appointed contractor.
“The Bung Bratak Heritage Centre was set up to honour and pay homage to the ancestors of the Jagoi-Bratak Bidayuhs, apart from being a historical-cultural centre. It is open to all, especially to historical and cultural enthusiasts, mountain- climbers, health-conscious groups and nature-lovers.
“So far, many individuals and groups both local and foreign have climbed up Bung Bratak since a trial run set up last April. Many foreigners have also visited and spent nights at Bung Bratak,” he said.
Minos also said traditional Bidayuh dances and songs would be lined up for the Bung Bratak Day celebrations on May 1.
“All are invited. Come to enjoy nature, and celebrate life,” he added.