Pesta Bengkoka Pitas 2012 (Part 2)

This is another post about Pesta Bengkoka Pitas 2012. I suggest you read the first part before continuing on this second part.

The second day of the festival began with tug of war competition. The tug of war or 'tarik tali' called by local people is a sport that directly pits two teams against each other in a test of strength. Two teams of eight, whose total mass must not exceed a maximum weight as determined for the class, align themselves at the end of a rope approximately 10 centimeters in circumference.

The rope is marked with a "center line" and two markings four meters either side of the center line. The teams start with the rope's center line directly above a line marked on the ground, and once the contest (the "pull") has commenced, attempt to pull the other team such that the marking on the rope closest to their opponent crosses the center line, or the opponents commit a foul (such as a team member sitting or falling down).

 

Over at the houses in the Pitas Ethnic Culture, local people started to play music using traditional instruments and dances of their respective tribes. Some of them are wearing their traditional clothing. In other angle, local artistes and performers were getting ready to entertain the audience in the opening ceremony. Most of them will present a traditional dance that became the main attraction of this festival.

 

Not long after, the opening started. Chief Minister Sabah Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman, in his speech delivered by state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor said, Pesta Bengkoka can help promote the district as a new state tourism destination. He also belived Pitas will be a popular tourism destination one day because the district was also blessed with a beautiful and unique natural environment apart from being rich in culture and traditions. 

Besides, Pitas District Officer who is also Chairman of the Main Committee Pesta Bengkoka dan Kaamatan 2012, Sapdin Ibrahim in his speech at the ceremony among others said that there are many treasures in this area such as the Tanjung Perak Batu Si Tenggang equal tragedy, Stone Beruncai, Batu Talam, Fresh Water Wells in the middle of the sea, and a lot more to get the attention of the people of this district to be developed as tourist attractions in and outside the country.

 

Also present were Deputy Minister of Transport, (Kudat MP) Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister and Pitas Assemblyman, Datuk Bolkiah Ismail, Member of Legislative Assembly Banggi, Datuk Haji Abdul Mijul Unaini. 

Opening ceremony event was also graced by Sabah cultural dances and Book of 'Supirak' launching and traditional dance performances. After that, decorated boat contest took place. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the evening, several events were held including; closing ceremony, Prize Presentation, bodybuilders performances, guest artistes' performances (including Adira AF, Ayu-OIAM and other local artists), also fireworks show. 

 

 

For me, what is interesting about this festival is a concept used by the organizers. Festival organizers use cultural, historical and trade Expo/agriculture themes to develop annual events to attract visitors. Such festivals provide opportunities for the local community to find out more local culture beside generate income from the business during the festival.

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Pesta Bengkoka Pitas 2012 (Part 1)

Several years ago Pesta Bengkoka (Bengkoka Festival) celebration was held only in the river to the compound of the field, but in recent years the festival has expanded in a very strategic seaside, called Dataran Bengkoka. Now, Pesta Bengkoka is becoming more popular not only among the people of this area but, also people from all over the country.

This year celebration is more different from the previous years. This festival was not held in conjunction with the district level Harvest Festival celebrations because it had been it was conducted a week earlier. However, several new events have been added in the festival including: Seafood Carnival, Seafood Cooking Competition, launching 'Pesta Bengkoka' Theme Song, Battle of the Band Competition, Sea Sports, Sukan Rakyat (Traditional Sports), Book of 'Supirak' launching, Tug of War, Decorated Boat Contest, visit houses in the Pitas Ethnic Culture, Trade Expo/Agriculture, 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle Competition, Competition Auto Audio System, local artists performance and many other events.

The Pesta Bengkoka 2012 event kicked off with an early morning Fishing Tournament and Drawing Competition for children (preschool level). Response to the two earlier events is encouraging. Many more are taking part. In the distance, a row of amateur anglers were perched on top of the rocks, each hoping to reel in a prize-winning catch. On the stage, children who are accompany by their teachers or parents busy with drawing paper and water colour.

In the afternoon, Pitas District Officer as the Chief Administrative Region, Mr. Sapdin Ibrahim starts to launching the Seafood Carnival and Seafood Cooking Competition (anchovies). This is the first time this event was held. Mr. Sapdin Ibrahim in his speech at the ceremony said that seafood is one of the Pitas products that can be commercialized and developed as tourist attractions in and outside the country. For info, Pitas district is very popular as a producer of dried anchovies, known for its best quality and low prices. Fisherman in this district using 'bagang', a traditional fishing structure made of nibong (Indo-Malayan coasts palm species - Oncosperma tigillarium) and bamboo for catching anchovy.

Here the 'bagang' replica available at the exhibition site.

On the second day, early morning events begin with a motorboat racing and 'Bagong' boat racing for sea sports, also traditional sport, tug of war take place. This event is no less interesting when the visitors start cheering. However, both the events were held in conjunction, so visitors have to choose whether to watch motorboat racing or tug of war. I choose to watch the boat racing so there's no time to take photographs for tug of war.

In other angle, over 40 booths at the exhibition area where various State agencies, Federal, Private and NGOs took part. All the participants are busy making final preparations for the exhibition finale on Sunday, May 27, however, it does not prevent a crowd of visitors start to going through the various information on display.

Sabah is rich in traditional handicraft, such as baskets, native hats, beaded necklaces, musical instruments, textiles and woven boxes. The local people still produce many of them, touching each piece with a bit of their culture, their traditions, and their lives. This is another interesting thing which attracts visitors during the exhibition.

Most of these items will not only be kept for decoration, but still used to this day. For examples, baskets, which are made from bamboo or rattan, are still used by the natives in their everyday lives. They can carry anything with traditional baskets, from fruits to firewood and paddy stalks is transported in the various baskets. There is the uniqueness of the Bengkoka Festival.

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Pesta Bengkoka Pitas Will Start Today!

I had written before about Pesta Bengkoka "Bengkoka Festival", the annual festival usually held in conjunction with Harvest Festival celebrations will be held on 18 - 20 Mei 2012 (here). However, the early date has been changed and the festival will start today until 27 May 2012. I will be there and share my experience with you later.

Now you can read the full article here.

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Chinese History Museum Kuching, Sarawak

This is another post about our trip to Kuching Sarawak. I like to share with others because there are lots of interesting things from our experience to explore the history of Bumi Kenyalang (Land of the Hornbills), where it can be found in the Chinese History Museum (Chinese Chamber of Commerce Building) at Kuching, Sarawak.

A visit to this museum as early as 9.00 am. It is quite easy to find this building because it just right opposite the Tua Pek Kong Temple and not far from Harbour View Hotel where we stayed. Our arrival was greeted by one of the officers in charge of the museum. He graciously invited us inside. I saw one notice board near the main entrance inform that visitors can bring camera only with the permission, so I showed my DSLR, ask their permission and of course the person looking after the place allowed me.

The building was officially opened in 1912. Established to handle administration of the laws and customs associated with marriage, divorce, and other properties specific to the Chinese community in Sarawak. This is consistent with the requirements of King Charles Vyner Brooke, who wants the Chinese handle their own property. The first chairman was Mr Ong Tiong Swee. He is assisted by six judges from a variety of Chinese descent to be appointed each year. Building design is influenced by the British colonial building design. and a simple rectangular shape with a hall measuring 46 feet square, and wooden ceilings. In 1993, Sarawak Government has renovated this building as Chinese History Museum.

The exhibition at this museum displays many elements related to the origin; quarter; dialect groups: traditional skills, culture and festivals; traditional musical instruments; and leader. The goal is to educate the current generation to better understand and appreciate the struggles of earlier pioneers. What is more interesting, the elements of this history is not only presented in the form of artifacts and visual, but are also presented in the form of audio. Visitors can listen to conversations using a variety of dialects, which refers to the history display. The Chinese visitors can also check their Chinese name that is featured on one of the walls in the museum.

One of the architectural model that is synonymous and the iconography of the Chinese community are also being exhibited in this museum. The Chinese are well known for architecture based on the principles of symmetry and balance. This concept is often presented in the form of symbolic abstract architecture of three types of components, frames, and decorative elements.

The uniqueness of Chinese architecture is usually apparent in unique roof and has a curved and elongated shape with a ridge Yan-Wei Chi . While the wood bracket supports ("Dougong") are often used as a helper to hold multi-tilt roof. At present we are still able to see this architecture is used in traditional buildings such as the temple of the Chinese community.

Chinese people and pottery can not be separated. In fact, I've read a script that in English, "China" not only refers to the state of a country (China), but also carries the meaning of pottery. It is no wonder this museum also displays some artifacts on pottery used by the Chinese, especially in Sarawak.

There a also featured some traditional Chinese musical instruments, including the Qin, Gu Zheng, mang Luo, Da Hu Gi and Pi Pa (pipe). It is a four stringed instrument. Pi Pa body is made of wood, while the use of metal strings. During play, Pi Pa held in standing position and placed on the shoulders of the players. Pi Pa ropes then extracted with tips of fingers and nails. The fingers of other hand placed on the strings between the fret to produce various pitches. Usually it is often played to accompany the Chinese opera singing solo or accompanied. Below are some of the photos that I took.

A record player classic (gramophone / phonograph record player) is placed near the information counter in the museum. The red colour or 'hong' is the preferred color of the Chinese community. For them, the red reflects a clear, bright conditions and represents a promising ray brightness of joy in life.

Visit to this museum for the first time is a wonderful experience. My children also happy. I can saw their pleasure when pressing the button repeatedly to listen to audio recordings of the Chinese community. Even though they (including myself) do not understand what the talk about (only understood after reading the transcript provided), but the audio is able to provide an environment as if we were contemporaries who are involved.

However, children like them should be given guidance and clarification because their cognitive still hard to think of abstract things. I believe that early exposure like this will teach them to better appreciate the past history of their ancestors.

Pleasure of children visible when pressing the button repeatedly to listen to audio recordings of the Chinese community. Even though they (including myself) do not understand what the talk about (only understood after reading the transcript provided), but the audio is able to provide an environment as if we were contemporaries who are involved.

I think that is enough because I don't want to spoil the suspense when you visit the Chinese History Museum in Kuching Sarawak soon. So, anyone who has opportunity to visit Kuching, do not miss exploring the history of our country here. Visitors can come to this museum every Monday to Sunday, from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm and entry is free.

Authors note: Some of the information shown here is obtained verbally from the museum staff and referrals from several sources. Authors apologize if erroneous information contained in this entry.

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