By Stephen Puah
KUCHING: The Bung Bratak Heritage Centre on top of Bung Bratak (Bratak Hill) in Bau near here is going through its finishing touches.
Built at a cost of RM8 million, the centre will have two longhouses – one for accommodation and the other for office, mini museum, store and two conference halls, baruk, reception hall, dining hall and kitchen.
Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHC) chairman Dato Peter Minos said Sarawak JKR built the mountain road and the hilltop parking for over RM500,000 while the state government gave RM500,000 for furnishings, fittings and a few other things.
He said Bau District Office and Bau District Council improved the traditional road and downhill parking at a cost of RM250,000.
“When furnishings, fittings and final touches are done by March 1, BBHC will be opened to the public,” he said, adding that BBHA would be inviting Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to officiate at the opening ceremony on May 1 to coincide with the annual Bung Bratak Day.
“BBHC has everything…fresh mountain air, beautiful mountain scenery, waterfall, spring water, virgin jungles, heritage trails, native food, affordable accommodation, conference halls, native culture, history etc,” added Minos.
Bung Bratak is located in the Bau district and was the original settlement of the Jagoi community from Mount Sungkong, Kalimantan, Indonesia.
For hundreds of years, they lived harmoniously.
However, the events of May 1, 1838 changed everything when the settlement was attacked by a group of 70 Iban raiders from Skrang led by Bagat.
Bagat and his men burned longhouses and robbed the inhabitants of their rice and collection of traditional gongs and jewellery.
They also killed anyone who opposed them, and many women and children were abducted to become slaves.
“Today, Bung Bratak is one of the (cultural) heritage (sites) of the Jagoi community and there’s a memorial to commemorate the black event,” said Minos.
Bung Bratak was declared a historical area in 1988 by the Dayak Bidayuh National Association.
Every year on May 1, Bidayuh Jagoi communities from in and around Kuching, Bau and Lundu will gather on top of the hill to commemorate the events of 1838.
Today, the Bung Bratak Day celebration is not just a celebration commemorating the ancestors of the Jagoi community but it has also become one of the cultural attractions and tourist destinations as well as recreation areas in the state, especially the Bau district.
Various cultural events and interesting activities are held.
The Bung Bratak Heritage Association under the chairmanship of Minos has been working hard to realise the construction of the centre.
The grant for its construction came from the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
