Chinese community leaders head to Bario for Pesta Nukenen
MIRI: A group of Chinese community leaders from Miri Chinese Community Leaders Association departed from Miri and flew to Bario yesterday for the highland’s cultural and culinary heritage festival, Pesta Nukenen Bario.
The entourage was led by deputy chairman of the association, Pemanca Yong Vui Seng.
“Actually, 24 of us comprising Chinese community leaders from Miri, Long Lama and Sibuti as well as family members and friends joined the tourismbased trip for the festival in the Kelabit Highlands.
“The first batch is to fly to Bario today while the remaining would board tomorrow’s flight,” he said when met at Miri Airport yesterday.
Yong said as it was the first trip to Bario for most members in the group, they were excited and looked forward to the four- day, three-night trip.
“We thank the president of Rurum Kelabit Sarawak, Dr Philip Raja for inviting the association to join this festival which has entered its 12th year.
“We are looking forward to experience the culture of the Kelabit community in the highlands.”
Renai Abun, wife of Penghulu Freddie Abun was at the airport to send off the entourage to Bario.
The highlights for this year’s festival from July 26 to 29 are the soft launch of a digital museum and exhibition of megalith cultures of the Kelabit people.
Apart from serving guests unique Kelabit food from the jungle, there will be traditional cultural performances.
Guests get to participate in traditional games such as climbing slippery pole, nela’ batuh (throwing boulders), karad, blow pipe and tug- of-war while side activities include mini marathon, trekking and bird watching.