Pesta Nukenen Bario

The 3-day food festival known as the Pesta Nukenen Bario, is held on July 27 to 29 at the Bario Village, located in the Bario Highlands which stands 3,200ft above sea level, just a 45 minute flight from Miri.

Celebrating the unique gastronomical and cultural heritage of the local Kelabit people, the organic food at the Nukenen prepared by the longhouse communities will be celebrated with festivities accompanied by traditional games and cultural dance and music performances.

Separated from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Nukenen festival is the perfect opportunity to get away from the city life, with good food and friendly people to accompany days of cool highland air and nights filled with immeasurable stars, visible in ways towns no longer allow.

Image shows traditional food displayed at the Nukenen. Photo retrieved from Sarawak Tourism Photo Library.
Image shows traditional food displayed at the Nukenen. Photo retrieved from Sarawak Tourism Photo Library.

Gawai Carnival Redeems 2017

The Gawai Carnival Redeems 2017 is being held on July 14 to 16 at the Redeems Centre at Kampung Apar Singai, Bau in Kuching.

This annual Carnival, organised by the Association of Research and Development Movement of Singai Sarawak (REDEEMS), aims to showcase the authentic Bidayuh culture, tradition and heritage, as well as to promote tourism within the Singai Bau region.

The Carnival features traditional food, arts, crafts and cultural performances and culture through a festivities and community sports.

For more information, kindly contact REDEEMS Secretariat Tel: 082- 450 450 or visit their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/1990259837860478/

Image of the longhouse being built for the Gawai Carnivasl Redeeems 2016, retrieved from http://www.redeems.my/
Image of the longhouse being built for the Gawai Carnivasl Redeeems 2016, retrieved from http://www.redeems.my/

Sibu Street Art Festival

Sibu is launching its debut week-long Sibu Street Art Festival on June 9 to 17.

The Festival is in support and celebration of all things around art and is spurred on by Sibu’s recent addition of culturally and historically significant street art murals that have added a little zest to the town’s walls.

As the murals depict different parts of Sibu’s life style, including food, old trades and a host of other attractions, it shows a personal part of Sibu’s communal identity as never seen before.

For more information on the Street Art Festival, visit the official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sibustreetart/

Mural of a caricature of the old Sibu buses.
Mural of a caricature of the old Sibu buses.
Mural of Kampua Mee
Mural of Kampua Mee
Mural of wrapped chickens and ducks as seen in the Sibu Marketplace.
Mural of wrapped chickens and ducks as seen in the Sibu Marketplace.

Pesta Babulang

Watch water buffaloes in action at the Pesta Babulang of the Bisaya community in Batu Danu, Limbang, takes off on June 9 to 11.

Organised by the Bisaya Association, this annual event drives tourists to the streets of Limbang as exciting water buffalo races begin, and also spiced with decorative water buffalo ‘float’ competitions, beauty pageants and traditional Bisaya food fiesta, an affair for the whole community!

To get to Limbang one has to take a 30 minute flight from Miri, or a short 15 minute drive from Tedungan if you are travelling from neighbouring Brunei Darulssalam.

For more information, contact Mr. Peter Sawal at 6018-2448-254 or email him at peters1@nreb.gov.my. More information on the festival can also be found at http://wander2nowhere.com/2014/07/babulang-festival-and-buffalo-racing/

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Images of Pesta Babulang, retrieved from Sarawak Tourism website.
Images of Pesta Babulang, retrieved from Sarawak Tourism website.

Irau Aco, Lun Bawang Festival

On June 1 to 3, the 30th Irau Aco Lun Bawang festival will be held at the Dataran Bandar Lawas, the northern frontier town of Sarawak

The Festival showcases the Lun Bawang’s community’s colourful heritage, with cultural dance and music performances, traditional handicrafts and featuring authentic Lun Bawang cuisine.

For the past thirty years, the Festival celebrated the passing-down of the community’s age old traditions

 Lawas can be reached on a 45 minute flight from Miri.

For information on the festival details, visit Lun Bawang Association (LBA) Kuching Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/lba.kuching

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Motocross of Borneo 2017, Anyone?

The Motocross of Borneo 2017 will be taking place at the Miri Motocross Track on May 20 to 21 in Sirikin, Bau, about 40 Kilometres from the State Capital

The race will be divided into three main categories, theMX1, MX2 and MX Veteran while the support races will include a Scramble Open and Cubcross Open.

The Motocross of Borneo is held every year to promote Sarawak as a sports destination, promote motocross within Sarawak, while providing an opportunity to scout new talent in the motocross sports.

It also promotes safe and healthy motocross competitions by providing professional locations on international standards.

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Get ready for the Runners Wild Bario 2017

The Runners Wild Bario 2017 cross-country marathon is back on May 20, introducing a fresh 50km trail for experienced runners and outdoor enthusiasts.

Runners Wild was created to promote tourism in Bario, as well as support the local communities within the area through the event.

Bario, located in the Kelabit Highlands of Sarawak that rests completely encircled by mountains at 3280 ft above sea level.

For more information, visit: http://www.runnerswild.com/raceinfo

Image shows the Runners Wild Bario 2016 starting point. Photo credit: Runenrs Wild Bario
Image shows the Runners Wild Bario 2016 starting point. Photo credit: Runenrs Wild Bario

Miri May Fest is Here!

The Miri May Fest, also known as Miri’s City Day Celebration, is a month-long celebration held annually since 2005 when Miri went up in status from town to city.

Throughout the month of May, public entertainment and events such as musical, dancing/singing or cultural and arts events, sports competitions, youth programmes, charity drives, parades and food fairs will pepper the city.

This city-wide festival coincides with the Borneo Jazz Festival, on May 12 to 13.

Various programmes will be held to commemorate Miri City Day, many of which have been well received by visitors in previous years’ celebrations.

For more information, visit www.miriresortcity.com/content/miri-may-fest

Image shows Miri City Parade in 2006. Photo Credit: Pui
Image shows Miri City Parade in 2006. Photo Credit: Pui
Image shows MASwings staff awarding passengers with tickets to Borneo Jazz Festival in Miri, after holding lucky draws on-board its flights in April.
Image shows MASwings staff awarding passengers with tickets to Borneo Jazz Festival in Miri, after holding lucky draws on-board its flights in April.

Da Bo Gong Festival

Sibu will be hosting a Da Bo Gong Festival, or Tua Pek Kong in the local Hokkien dialect, on May 12 to 14.

This Festival is held to commemorate the Da Bo Gong deity, the ‘god of the land,’ as well as to recognise the importance of Sibu’s Chinese ancestry and heritage.

Every year, this Festival encourages international cultural tourism to Sibu, while also encouraging the communities in Sibu to live in harmony and unity, as was one of the purposes and jurisdiction of the Deity in question.

The Tua Pek Kong temple in Sibu – formerly known as Eng Ann Teng Temple or Temple of Everlasting Peace – has been a tourist hotspot for many years due to its rich history and beauty.

There are 68 Tua Pek Kong temples in Sarawak – the oldest one being in Kuching.

Image shows the Tua Pek Kong in Sibu. Photo Credit: Borneo Post
Image shows the Tua Pek Kong in Sibu. Photo Credit: Borneo Post

Tanjung Manis Fishing Safari

The Tanjung Manis Fishing Safari 2017 will be held on May 5 to 7 at Bandar Baru Tanjung Manis in Mukah.

This Fishing Safari competition is open to all and is divided into two categories, namely the Deep Sea Category and the Seaside Category.

This will be the 13th Fishing Safari, as it has been held annually since 2005 to promote Tanjung Manis as an eco-tourism destination, especially for fishing sports.

For more information or registration forms, visit www.sarawaktimber.gov.my/pages.php?mod=event&sub=event_detail&id=52

Boats waiting for the launch of the Tanjung Manis Fishing Safari 2016. Photo credit: DUN N41 Kuala Rejang.
Boats waiting for the launch of the Tanjung Manis Fishing Safari 2016. Photo credit: DUN N41 Kuala Rejang.