LIMBANG: The unique culture and customs of the Lun Bawang are as fascinating despite the community not being a major ethnic group in Sarawak.
The Lun Bawang community has opened Sarawakian eyes to the Nuba Laya Festival, and it is one of the Sarawak government’s aims to maintain the community’s cultural heritage as well as develop tourism here.
“We have to highlight this so that the rest of the world knows that Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-cultural country and its communities are united,” said Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail.
The Deputy Minister for Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development was officiating at the Nuba Laya Festival organised by Sarawak Lun Bawang Association, Limbang Branch recently.
There are various other festivals held in Limbang such as the Babulang Festival and Buffalo Race, Medamit Festival, Makan Tahun Perdana (Kedayan community), Bedudun Festival and Buffalo Race (Malay community) and Chinese Community Cultural Festival.
According to a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) report, there would be a special event on Aug 13, which is the Northern Region Music Festival.
The festival will highlight ethnic music from the northern region, namely Malay, Kedayan, Iban, Bisaya, Lun Bawang, Chinese, Penan and Kelabit.
“Sarawak’s strength in the tourism industry is focused on CANF, namely Culture, Adventure, Nature and Food, which can attract domestic and foreign tourists,” said the Bukit Kota assemblyman.
“That is why the Limbang District Main Festival Committee organises these festivals and is looking to get them included in the Sarawak Tourism Calendar.”
The Nuba Laya Festival was held from June 24-25. Nuba Laya is a traditional dish consisting of mashed rice wrapped in leaves.
