Kg Taee renowned tuak brewers all set for the premier of the festival.
KUCHING: The usually sleepy Kampung Taee in Serian, about a 45-minute drive from here, turns lively as preparations are underway ahead of the Bidayuh Culture and Tradition Carnival this Dec 6.
The ground of the village headhouse – known as Balu Gambang Bukar – will host the inaugural festival, filled with music and colours like never before.
“With the majestic Mount Sadong as the backdrop, Balu Gambang Bukar provides a perfect setting for a carnival of this kind.
“The streets of this rustic village, inhabited by about 2,000 Bukar Bidayuhs, will be thick with guests, who are expected to come in droves, wanting to experience the colour and energy of this cultural event’s premier,” said organising chairman Andriesse Ridu in a publicity release yesterday.
The one-day extravaganza, running from 10am onwards, is expected to attract more than 3,000 visitors including international tourists.
Various activities have been lined up for the day including traditional games of coconut bowling, tug-of-war, blowpipe, and a 30m ‘sarong’ run.
Other highlights will include performances by some of the state’s top artistes and cultural icons in the likes of Claudia AF7, Stanley AF, sapé maestro Mathew Ngau and Michael Gayut, as well as Kampung Taee’s very own cultural troupe and their counterparts from Kampung Gahat, Kampung Tarat, Kampung Kakeng and Bau.
Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in traditional dances open karaoke sessions, dangdut, pocho-pocho and joget and at the same time, sample Bidayuh traditional food and drinks such as the delicious homemade ‘tuak’ (rice wine).
Moreover, there will also be a special demonstration on tuak making to be conducted by the village’s top tuak brewers.
Orchard produce like fruits and plants, as well as handicraft and souvenir items will also be on sale during the festival.
Additionally the carnival will have various organisations such as Red Bull and Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus taking part in exhibitions and promotion of products.
Themed ‘Celebrating the Diversity of Bidayuh Culture, the event promises to give guests a truly memorable experience.
“It will be filled with fun, sounds and dances. Our objective is to give our guests, especially foreign tourists, something uniquely Bidayuh – something that they will cherish for a long time,” said Andriesse.
“As sidelines, the more adventurous ones can go jungletrekking up the mountain and rejoin the celebrations in the evening.
“We also encourage guests to bring their sleeping bags and mats to the festival in case they want to sleep over, or to relax on the open grassy compound as they enjoy the performances on stage.”
Andriesse, however, reminded all that there would be limited number of homestay available at the village.
For booking, contact Carol Price at 014-692 5820.
“We also encourage tour operators to bring tourists to the festival to sample the beautiful culture and traditional of the Bidayuh community.”
Admission is free.
Guests can purchase coupons for food, drinks and souvenirs from the organiser at the venue, or by calling Andriesse at 019-847 1408 or other organising committee members Jo (019-261 2832) and Kembi (019-887 7815).
Kampung Taee is located at KM6 Baki-Riih Road off Mile 32 Kuching-Serian Road.
From the city, make a U-turn to the right at the new Haji Baki Bazaar Mile 32 and go left to Baki-Riih Road, which will lead visitors straight to the village.
The event is organised by Girumpung Baatan Asal Kampung Taee, supported by Serian police, Serian District Council, Rela, Serian Hospital and Kampung Taee Security and Development Committee, with Red Bull as the sponsor of promotional materials.
Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/11/23/organiser-expects-3000-visitors-for-first-ever-kg-taee-cultural-carnival/#ixzz3JrdKsSe0
