CM to declare open 6th Pesta Badudun, Buffalo Race Festival in Limbang
LIMBANG: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Abang Openg will head back to his birthplace here this March 10, to officiate at the sixth annual Pesta Badudun and Buffalo Race Festival.
The festival, which is synonymous with the 20,000strong Malay community here, is organised by Limbang Malay Association ( LMA) and Limbang Livestock Breeders and Racing Association, in collaboration with Limbang Resident’s Office.
According to LMA president Mohamad Abu Bakar, this twoday carnival would kick off this March 9 at Kampung Gadong, and preparations have been going smoothly for this crowd-pulling event.
He disclosed this while accompanying Assistant Minister of Agriculture Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail and Limbang Resident Ahmad Denney Ahmad Fauzi on a visit to the festival’s site last weekend.
The event would be the first to be graced by Abang Johari as Chief Minister, whom the local folk regard as their ‘most prominent son’.
A hive of activities has been planned by the organisers, among them the iconic buffalo race, cultural activities, a showcase of traditional cuisines and other sports.
Mohamad said the main draw would be the buffalo race, a local tradition that reflects Limbang’s agrarian background, and is now a tourism attraction.
“About 30 racing buffaloes will be taking part in the relay, divided into large- sized and small- sized buffalo categories,” he added.
The Chief Minister would flag off the buffalo race.
Other interesting activities include competitions for birdchirping, ‘memalupuh’ ( bamboocutting), ‘ menohor’ (weaving of thatched roof), and ‘ taril kalat’ (tug- of-war).
Listed on Sarawak’s Calendar of Events, ‘Pesta Badudun’ – or ‘open house’ in the Kedayan language – is a venue for the people around the Limbang River basin to gather and interact with one another.
The first edition was held in Kampung Telahak, before taking place in Kampung Meritam, Gadong, Kampung Telahak and Kampung Meritam in subsequent years.