BALINGIAN - PESTA BERDERUN BALINGIAN 2010

For those of you craving something different from other festival, it doesn't better than the "PESTA BERDERUN BALINGIAN 2010', for me most unique and fully based on Melanau Balingian traditional belief for preparation....What makes it different?  Well, like what I said, it has completely based on society belief preparation (for example; boat worship will be done the night before the competition) everyone's urged to get involved whether it is dressing up, making art, anything.  The most important in this context, nothing else...TEAMWORK!!!!!

'PESTA BERDERUN BALINGIAN 2010' was held in 18 - 20 June 2010. "BERDERUN" is Melanau Balingian language mean gathered mass. Berderun festival was being served with really awaited programme by local residents namely Water Sport Event.  Preparation were made as early as possible by Committee Members to ensure the premier event times feasible with best promising. I'm very fortunate and take this opportunity captured some pictures during this event eventhough by using old version Nokia handphone.  What to do???

Local residents which arrived early to watch and support competed teams.  Very supportive but unfortunately the event will be started in 1 hour later.

 Main Stage for Berderun Festival - The River Wharf . Is that look very unique for you all??? I guess so.....

Various names has been given to respective team to race....but I'm more impressive to the uniqueness and meaning implied on it..hahaha.. List of teams participate :-

Paddle Long Boat

1. Raja Menaul = King Fisher.  Balingian is also suitable place for King Fisher habitat eventhough they are mostly found in Australia and Europe country. So, P/S to Balingian peoples : PLEASE SAVE THIS SPECIES, THEY ARE THREATENED WITH EXTINCTION

2. KKK Kampung Pulat = Pulat Village..with due respect, I really have no idea  what is triple K stand for.

3. Lintang Bersatu = United Lintang

4. Kucing Berlari = Running Cat

5. Raja Laut =  King of Ocean

6. Gayan = place/spot

7. Cahaya Baru = New Light

8. Tipow Gersiah = Grandmother by the name of Gersiah.

Whereas, I on the other hand is supporter to "Raja Menaul" team..hehehe... Yae, the team are made up young peoples from Kampung Suyong (my own village) very spirited and impatient to start the competition.  While, a small amount of veteran participants that involved including my own mum are never forgotten...  

What about me??? Can I join???

"Raja Menaul" or King Fisher figurine

"Raja Menaul"Paddle Long Boat - it can fit to 10 persons

Men participant - Raja Menaul

Women Participant - Raja Menaul

Veteran participants - they are still strong and active...can you guess how old their age???

 

That's my mum and Iduk...they just won 1st place "Paddle Long Boat" L/M - 6...

  

Before that......Iduk was unconscious for a while and aided by caring buddies..hehehe...luckily she was managed end the winning post and won the race. Fuhhhh!

 I'm ok now...I'm ok now..don't worry my friends.........

3.3 HP Speed Boat Competition - oooohhhhh....I really unsure with the boat's speed..... Don't ask me..

"I'm really sure this race will be won by Boat No.2"....hhhmm typical comment from audience.

1....2....3...Go!!!!

Unfortunate event...The weather and water condition has always played an important part in this race and always decisively for the participants.  Even in good nature condition, the boat is still sink.....poor boy..human error, we guess. The race was a culmination of month of training and effort and it was terribly frustrating for it to sink during the race. Pity him......

Rescue team always prepare to handle undesirable event

Decorative raft

The only licensed mobile cafe in Sarawak extend it destination to Berderun Festival in Balingian that offers variety of cold and hot drinks and snacks for sale.

You can tell what's important and what's not by the rhythms of the audience's response.  You can judge it by seeing their faces - satisfaction!

Raja Menaul team with their winning trophies.  Congratulation! Well Done Raja Menaul!!!

Having gone through this festival with some immunity to fatigue and the overall physical tiring will never be counted.  This small festival has been inspired me by how they imagine and organised it was very impressive.  This event is about society, friends, originality and moreover motivated by the desire to give you a quality time rather than squeezing every last Ringgit out of you.  I actually wanted to post more photos which I have taken with my brother's Nokia handphone, but when I start to write this blog I realize that I have left those photos inside my PC in Kuching.  Apology. Before we end this story, please sit back and enjoy this 4 minutes video captured using my handphone. No thrill, no subtitles, no HD, but only short and ugly video for remembrance.  Chowwrraaaa!!!