Penguman Asen fest a hit among Baram folk
MARUDI: Some 600 visitors from 13 villages in Ulu Baram thronged Kampung Long Selaan in Kedaya Telang Usan for the inaugural Penguman Asen Kenyah Festival over the weekend.
Numerous activities and competitions both traditional and modern were held over the course of the two days, such as Datun Julut dance, Kulung Punai and Kulung Tuai pageants, sape performance, tug- of-war and lucky draws.
Baram MP Anyi Ngau, who represented Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala at the closing of the event, praised the organisers for staging the inaugural festival which he said required not only adequate funds, but also cooperation from relevant authorities.
He also said longhouses in the area would take turns hosting the festival each year – to be decided by the Kedaya Telang Usan Development Committee.
The MP later announced minor rural project ( MRP) allocations from Gerawat to Long Selaan SIB Church (RM40,000) and Long Selaan security and development committee ( RM20,000), as well as a sum of RM100,000 from the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to the Long Selaan Catholic Church.
Meanwhile, Anyi was joined by Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau in presenting prizes to the winners of the various competitions.
The team from Long Selawan won the men’s tug- of-war while Long Jaeh was the women’s champion. In the blowpipe competition, Long Laman placed first followed by Long Semiang and Long Selawan in second and third, respectively.
For the Kulung Punai pageant, Theresa Nyanding was announced the winner with Kelisa Lusat in second and Sylvia Karren Garel, third.
Stanley Pulo won the Kulung Tuai title, with Rewright Lenjau Yahya and Lawrence Ding Jacob placing second and third, respectively.
Among those present were community leaders Temenggong Joseph Ngau Lian, Penghulu Jalong Tanyit and Penghulu Anthony Kule Lalo, and organising chairman Joseph Jalong Apoi.