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.
Posted By Ezzat Roslan
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