TATAU: Pesta Tatau 2024, which will take place from Sept 5-15, is expected to attract about 80,000 visitors with more than 30 events on the agenda.
Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department Datuk Sri John Sikie Tayai said the 10-day festival opened with sales stalls on Aug 30 at Sungai Jatan Community Park.
“The festival will start with the Pengawa Nasih Ai ceremony on Sept 4, a traditional ritual asking for forgiveness before the water sports event.
“The official launch on Sept 5 will be accompanied by the Miring Muka Gelanggang ceremony and various cultural performances,” said Sikie.
According to him, a successful festival last year which attracted 50,000 visitors has driven hopes of drawing even more this year.
“This is due to interesting programmes such as the power boat competition which has registered 95 participants,” he said at the Tatau District Office, recently.
This year’s event will also see participants from Brunei which is sending 17 powerboats to compete.
Local participants from Kanowit, Dalat, Mukah, Limbang, Marudi, Kapit, Belaga, and Bekenu are also participating in the event.
Sikie, who is Kakus assemblyman, said the main aim of Pesta Tatau is to support local businesses and food entrepreneurs in increasing their income.
He said the Pan Borneo Highway which is almost completed will make it easier for visitors from outside the area to go to Tatau.
“Although we lack accommodation facilities such as hotels and homestays, this is not a big issue. Visitors can stay in Bintulu town which is not far from here thanks to the Pan Borneo Highway,” he said.
In an effort to overcome the lack of accommodation facilities, Sikie encouraged local residents to provide homestays.
The festival is organised by the Tatau District Office in collaboration with the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA).
Sikie also announced a new event this year, the cultural night, which will feature performances from the Iban, Chinese, Punan, Baketan, Kenyah, Vaie, and Tetau communities, celebrating Tatau’s cultural diversity.
The decorated boat competition, an iconic event of this festival, has been well received with participation from IPD Tatau, SK Tatau, Kumpulan Keresang Timang Kenyalang, Anyiek Clan, Penghulu Haliza representing Kuala Tatau, Penghulu Sanok representing the Punan Kakus community, and Tatau District KMKK.
This year’s special event is the Tatau Regatta, featuring a King of the River prize of RM10,000.
