Festive Celebrated in Sarawak

There are lots of races that have their believe and by that come festive once a year for each races to celebrate with all their heart contain.

HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI

this celebration was celebrated by muslim worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. The religious Eid is a single day and Muslims are not permitted to fast that day. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan. The day of Raya, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Syawal. This is a day when Muslims around the world show a common goal of unity. The date for the start of any lunar Hijrah month varies based on the observation of new moon by local religious authorities, so the exact day of celebration varies by locality. Hari raya Aidil fitri has a particular Solat (Islamic prayer) consisting of two Rakaats (units) and generally offered in an open field or large hall. It may only be performed in congregation (Jama’at) and, has an additional extra six Takbirs (raising of the hands to the ears while saying "Allāhu Akbar", literally "God is greatest"), Muslims believe that they are commanded by God, as mentioned in the Quran, to continue their fast until the last day of Ramadan and pay the Zakat fitrah before offering the Aidilfitri prayes. In Malays custocy, Malays would serve a special dish like lemang( cooked rice in bamboo), ayam and beef rendang( mix with special spices). In the early morning, a family would gather to ask forgiveness from father. 

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Chinese New Year is an important traditional Chinese holiday. In China, it is also known as the Spring Festival, the literal translation of the modern Chinese name. Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally ran from Chinese New Year's Eve, the last day of the last month of the Chinese calander, to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month, making the festival the longest in the Chinese calendar. Because the Chinese calander is lunisolar, the Chinese New Year is often referred to as the "Lunar New Year". In Sarawak, chinese new year celebration was celebrated by going to others house and greet, for children they will receive an "Ang Pau" a small red envelope contain moneys in it. Beside that, they do open house and invite their friends and siblings same way as the Adilfitri celebration Also, before the night of celebration chinese would play lots of firecracker and can be seen anywhere that moment.

GAWAI DAYAK

Gawai Dayak is a festival celebrated by Dayaks in Sarawak and West Kalimantan which is officially public holidays on 31 May and 1 June every year in Sarawak, Malaysia. It is both a religious and social occasion. The word Gawai means a ritual or festival whereas Dayak is a collective name for the native ethnic groups of Sarawak and neighboring Indonesian Kalimantan who are the Iban also known previously as Sea Dayak and the Bidayuh people also known as Land Dayak and the Orang Ulu (inclusive of Kayans, Kenyahs, Lun Bawangs, etc.). Thus, Gawai Dayak literally means "Dayak Festival". During this occasion, family of dayak gather all around from Malaysia to their village. They celebrated by singing and dancing to their heart contains.

DEEPAVALI

Deepavali also known as Diwali is an official holiday in India.  Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji.  Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira in 527 BCE. Arya Samajists, celebrate this day as Death Anniversary of Swani Dayanand Saraswati. They also celebrate this day as Shardiya Nav-Shasyeshti. The name "Diwali" or "Divali" is a contraction of "Deepavali", which translates into "row of lamps". Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. These lamps are kept on during the night and one's house is cleaned, both done in order to make the goddess Lakshmi feel welcome. Firecrackers are burst because it is believed that it drives away evil spirits. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with family members and friends.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Christmas is an annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed holiday, celebrated generally on December 25 by millions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it closes the Advent season and initiates the twelve days of Christmastide, which ends after the tweltfth night. Christmas is a civil holiday in many of the world's nation, is celebrated by an increasing number of non-Christians, and is an integral part of the Christmas and holiday season. In sarawak, they would set a christmas tree adn gfit under it. Then invite siblings and friend to their house for a feast.

Nature Reserve Forest Park in Sarawak

Nowadays, there's a lot of forest have been chop down or burn. Now, the government have take an action against all this problem by making a reserve forest, beside that, it could be one of tourist attraction place.

BAKO NATIONAL PARK

Bako National Park, 37 kilometres from Kuching, can be reached by 30-minute drive to Kampung Bako and then followed by a 25-minute boat ride. The constant erosion over millions of years, had turned Bako into a picturesque coastline of steep cliffs, rocky head-lands and many stretches of sandy bays. The erosion caused by constant waves at the base of cliffs had carved and created many of the rocks into sea arches and sea stacks. Beautiful sandstone formation featuring pink and iron patterns on cliff faces can be seen along most of the coastline. Many, who have visited the Park commented that Bako National Park is a treasure chest of fauna and flora. Naturalists will be thrilled to find a wide range of vegetations including the varieties of pitcher plants and wild orchids. The varieties of vegetation found in Borneo can also be seen in the Park's mangrove forest, mixed dipterocarp forest, peat swamp forest and kerangas forest. Trekking through any of its 16 well maintained jungle trails is an interesting experience. Within the Park, it is not uncommon to see troops of long-tailed Macaques and silver-leaf monkeys along with giant monitor lizards, plantain squirrels, wild boars and mouse deers. The most significant animal in the Park is the bizzare long nosed proboscis monkeys found only in Borneo island.

Swimming, beach combing at low tide and sunset watching are popular activities along the sandy bays of the Park. Bako National Park is truly an ideal place for nature lovers and eco-minded adventurers.

MULU NATIONAL PARK

Gunung Mulu National Park is one of Nature's most spectacular achievements and the 'jewel in the crown' of Sarawak's expanding network of natinal parks. It is also the largest national park, covering 544 sq km of primary rainforest, which is criss-crossed by fast flowing rivers and clear jungle streams. Mulu is dominated by three mountains - Gunung Mulu (2,376 m), Gunung Api (1,750 m) and Gunung Benarat (1,585 m). Yet many of Mulu's greatest attractions lie deep below the surface. Hidden underneath the forested slopes of these mountains is one of the largest limestone cave systems in the world. This system, a breath-taking natural wonder, contains a number of record breaking caves. With the world's largest cave passage (Deer Cave), the world's largest natural chamber (Sarawak Chamber), and the longest cave in Southeast Asia (Clearwater Cave), it is not surprising that Mulu is now world-famous. Over 200 km of cave passages have been surveyed but this is thought to represent just 30-40% of the actual total. The oldest of Mulu's caves started to form about 5 million years ago when sideways earth movements resulted in the formation of both limestone and sandstone mountains, lying side by side. Millions of years of heavy rain and the action of rivers and running water carved out the vast subterranean system that exists today. The weathering process still continues; dripping water creates new rock features, limestone is slowly worn away, and underground rivers carve and sculpt the caves, transporting limestone debris to the cave mouth or redistributing it within the system.

NIAH NATIONAL PARK

Niah is one of Sarawak's smaller national parks, but it is certainly one of the most important, and has some of the most unusual visitor attractions. The park's main claim to fame is its role as one of the birthplaces of civilisation in the region. The oldest modern human remains discovered in Southeast Asia were found at Niah, making the park one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Yet there is much more to Niah than archaeology. A vast cave swarming with bats and swiftlets; the thriving local economy based on bird-nests and guano; ancient cave paintings; a majestic rainforest criss-crossed with walking trails; abundant plant and animal life - all these and more make up the geological, historical and environmental kaleidoscope that is Niah.

Business in Sarawak

Nowadays there are a lot of business happening throughout globe but. Sarawak hold most of the unique product sales and become one of the main export through out globe.

LADA HITAM & PUTIH(PEPPER)

Sarawak pepper has gained international recognition by chefs and gourmets as one of the most favourite pepper ingredients due to its distinctive flavour and taste perfected through years of government funded agro-research. Today, with the advancement of technology, there's more variance in pepper produces like pepper candies and pepper perfume (you won't sneeze). Pepper plantations can be seen along the Kuching-Serian Road. Sarawak ranks amoungst the world's four leading producers of pepper and exports and average 45 million pounds (20,000 metric tons) annually in the period 2001 - 2004. Practically all Sarawak pepper exports are in the form of black and white pepper which are produced generally in the ratio of 70:30 respectively. In recent years, green pepper in brine and dehydrated forms has also been produced in substantial quantities.

IKAN TERUBUK MASIN(SALTED FISH)

Sarawak's all-time favourite and very unique souvenir craze is the Salted Terubok (American Shad) Fish. Visitors would normally come back from Sarawak bearing salted terubok (nicely wrapped in a box for longer preservation) for their friends and family. One of the favourite fishes in Sarawak, terubok is full of bones but tasty nevertheless. The trick of the trade is to find the biggest terubok fish as the bones are larger and easier to dispose. Also available is the terubok egg, and far more expensive. It may set you back about RM200 per kg.

BARIO RICE

Bario Rice is regarded by the 'Orang Ulu' and natives as the finest and best rice from the highlands of Sarawak. It is grown on cool climates at an elevation above 1,200 metres. According to the natives, the rice is only eaten by the longhouse chief on special occasion. It is long been regarded as one of the finest rice grains of the world. It is famous for its soft texture, fine and elongated grains with mild aromas and splendid taste. The rice is a home-grown, laboriously planted and harvested by hands using age-old traditional methods. In the planting of the Bario rice, there is no usage of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. It has all the attributes of organic rice with an added flavour and unique taste as a result of the cool, pristine and unpolluted environments where it is grown. It is perfect for health conscious consumers. Bario Rice is specially air-flown out of Bario and Ba'kelalan highlands to enable the rest of Malaysians to sample the finest rice derived from the Land of the Hornbills.

Heroes Of Sarawak

Sarawak was once a ruled country by the Sultan of Brunei, but have been given to James Brooke for his service and he than expand his empire. Back then, life was hard and not a place where we dream of living. people in Sarawak then realise that they want Freedom and Justice. But the most is what they want is INDEPENDENCE. As the time flow, one by one have rise and this is their story.

RENTAP

The Iban chief of Bukit Sadong fame

His original name was Libau but well-known by his short praise-name (ensumbar in Iban) Rentap. He was a Dayak (Iban) rebel leader inSarawak, Malaysia during the Brooke White Rajah era. This made him the hero for the Iban Dayak in the State of Sarawak, Malaysia, located at the western part of the Borneo Island. "Rentap" in Iban means the "World-shaker". He was proclaimed by his followers as "Raja Darat" (King of Land) or "Raja Ulu" (King of Upriver) at the height of his power at his Sadok Hill fort.^[1] Rentap became well-known when he was selected to be one of the leading fighting men for a great war leader, Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana "Bayang" who led war expeditions to the areas around the mouth of Kapuas River in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. This by chance prepared the young warrior Rentap with war experience in fighting James Brooke later on in his life especially at Sadok Hill until his death in hiding in 1870.

ROSLI DHOBI

who assasinated the second British governor Sir Duncan Stewart in 1949.

Rosli Dhobi was born in 1932 in Kampung Siong, Sibu, Kingdom of Sarawak. Rosli started his career as a teacher and quit his job in 1947 in order to teach in Sibu People's School. Rosli was known to be a nationalist and a poet. Using the nickname Lidros, Rosli penned down a nationalistic poem titled 'Panggilan Mu yang Suchi' which was published in Utusan Sarawak on February 28, 1948. The usage of nickname was prevalent at the time since the British Colonial Authority vigorously monitored any attempts to spread words against them. Rosli joined Rukun 13 in August, 1948. He was introduced to the organization by an old friend, Bujang Suntong. It was a secret cell organization, composed of nationalists and patriots, which carried out assassinations of officers of the British Colonizer in Sarawak. He was well known for his assassination of Sir Duncan George Stewart, the second governor of colonial Sarawak in 1948. After a few months languishing in prison, Rosli Dhoby, Awang Ramli Amit Mohd Deli, Morshidi Sidek and Bujang Suntong were found guilty of murder and sentenced to death on December 4, 1949.

SHARIF MASAHOR

The melanau warrior

Sharif Masahor was also known as Sayyid Mashhur bin Muhammad Al-Shahab. Before the arrival of James Brooke, he was a powerful member who ruled and, in the past, like Datu Patinggi Abdul Gapur, he was very influential and respected due to both his charisma in uniting the people of different races and beliefs, and also due to his lineage. James Brooke's expansion policy caused disturbance in many parts of Borneo.  Brooke's encroachment into local leaders' territory caused many locals to rebel, including Syarif Masahor. In July 1859, Masahor and his army attacked Brooke's outpost near Bukit Rejang in Kanowit. During this attack, officers Charles Fox and Henry Steele were killed by Melanau people led by Sawing and Sakalai. This angered the British people throughout Kuching following the rebellion by the Chinese people. In early 1860, Masahor ordered Temenggung Hayim Jalil from Brunei to go to Pontianak for a meeting with Abdul Gapur. In early February 1860 they mounted an assault on Kuching (at that time, Sarawak), according to Masahor's plan. Masahor and his army wanted to approach Kuching via the Sarawak River. In the battle that ensued, the British forces gained the upper hand when Charles Brooke succeeded in ambushing and destroying all Masahor's ships. Facing defeat, Masahor retreated to Brunei, where he would seek shelter from the British. However, in 1861, James Brooke went to Brunei, in hopes of forcing the Sultan of Brunei to banish Syarif Masahor to Selangor once and for all. Masahor eventually arrived at Klang, where he became an adviser to Sultan Abdul Samad. During the Klang War however, Syarif Masahor sided with the rebellious Klang territorial chief Raja Mahadi who did not recognise Sultan Abdul Samad's rule. Abdul Samad sought British help to win the war, and Masahor ended up fighting against the British for a second time. Nevertheless, after the surrender of Raja Mahadi and Syarif Masahor, they were both pardoned by Abdul Samad. Syarif Masahor died in Kerling, Selangor in 1890 and was buried there.

LIU SHAN BANG

leader of the 1857 Chinese Uprising

The reforming Brooke administration had angered the Bau(part of Sarawak) miners & the Twelve Kongsi, and thus a rebellion was started against the White Rajah. The rebellion was initiated in 1857 at Tian Tsze Lung Kung in Bau by Liu Shan Bang, the leader of the Twelve Kongsi. 600 armed miners, without proper weapons & military training, paddled down the Sarawak River & attacked the Astana. James Brooke escaped the assault. Five Europeans were killed, and one was mistaken to be James Brooke. With no political will & planning the Chinese miners stayed or ruled Kuching for 3 days before returning to their base. By then, James Brooke had already been given time for retaliation. The counter attacks by Brooke’s army, with combined forces of Skrang Iban warriors & Malays loyal to him, defeated the Chinese miners badly. In Jugan Siniawan, more than a hundred miners were killed; including the leader Liu Shan Bang himself.


DATUK PATINGGI ALI

Datuk Patinggi Ali was a principal leader of the Sarawak Malays who fought against the Brunei Government during the rule of Pengiran Makota and Raja Muda Hasim, most probably between 1837 and 1840. He surrendered in December, 1840 on the understanding that James Brooke would hence forth become the Raja and stop the Brunei Pengirans from oppressing them.After James Brooke was declared Raja and the Governor of Sarawak on 24th.September, 1841 and he reinstated Datu Patinggi Ali as a leader of the Sarawak Malays. From 1841 to 1844 he served James Brooke as a famous fighting man for the government.

Sarawak Clothing

In Sarawak, there are lot of races that living together in prosperities and harmony. In Sarawak, we learn that there are a lot of ethnic and tribe with different language but the same way of living, we also know that by living with lots of races we know their way of life and believe. Back to the main topic, as it was written for the main post, types of clothing use by all races during festive season. we will post 5 main races in Sarawak.

MALAY

Before the 20thcentury, Malay women wear a cloth kemban in public places. However, after the arrival of Islam, they began to wear baju kurung is more polite. Baju kurung is a looser shirt with exquisite, sometimes to knee and paired with a long cloth folded edge. Baju kurung can be matched with traditional fabrics such as asembroidered or batik. Typically, these clothes are used with a clothor scarf head scarf. The traditional attire for men is the Malay dress. Malay-shirt is a loose tunic worn over trousers. It is ofthe coupled with the addition of fabric wrapped around the waist. Malays will use this clothes during many occations, like Eid Mubarak, wedding, Friday prayer, and so on.

MENS

WOMENS

CHINESE

Traditional cheongsam or "long dress" a comfortable and chic are often seen to this day. Cheongsam are not known for womens only, but mens to. Normally, the frog has a high collar, Buttons atthe shoulder, the shape of the pack at the waist and the left and rightparts of the fabric. It is often made of silk, satin and other fabric. Cheonsam is used on Chinese New Year.

   

MENS

                         

WOMENS

INDIAN

Sari is the traditional dress of India is easily recognizable throughout the world. A piece of fabric measuring 5 to 6 yards inlength is matched with a colourful cloth-like sari fabric, as well as the colour Choli same or opposite thereto. Sari cloth was wrapped arround the body with the embroidered ends is placed over the left shoulder. Cloth is worn just above or below the center and servesas a support garment to hold the saree. Made from a variety of types, patterns and colours are really beautiful fabric. Clothing salwar kameez or Punjabi suit, which is also popular among women in northern India, consists of a long blouse paired with loose pants, and appropriate head covering colour. Kurta is the traditional dress for men on formal occasions. It is a long shirt taht reaches the knee and often made of cotton or linen. These clothes are used in wedding and deepavali.

 MENS

WOMENS

IBAN

The male Iban is dressed in Baju Burung or vest and sirat woven loin-cloth (cawat)which is a warrior's outfit. They also wear accessories such as a belt, armlet and anklet made from silver and a headgear decorated with hornbill feathers. The Iban maiden wears the ceremonial dress consisting of the bidang cloth, marek empang which is a chest adornment, the sugu tinggi headdress and other silver ornaments such as the coil belt and bangles. Kumang is a ceremonial headgear worn by Iban maiden. It is made by Chinese silversmith from Sarawak. The design is in a form of a comb with pieces of hairpins decoreted with beautiful repousse and embossed flowers. Iban women still wear this headgear, especally during ceremonies. These attires are used during a festive season called "hari Gawai"

MENS

WOMENS

BIDAYUH

The everyday dress of men consists of a long loin-cloth called tawuop or tahup, which is wrapped tidily around the body with one end hanging down in front and the other end hanging down behind. It is usually made of blue cotton cloth with red, blue and white band at the end. They also wear the headgear burang sumba, which is made of a red cloth with a narrow border of golden lace. Some men, however, prefer to wear the blue headgear ending in three broad bands of red, blue and white. Generally, men have no ornaments on their bodies except for the armlets kima and an occasional earring. The principal article of dress amongst the women is the jomuh or a short petticoat. Necklaces made of beads and the armlets of shell are the common ornaments. In some areas, for instance, in the right tributary of Sg. Sadong in Serian District and in the upper reaches of Sg. Sarawak Kiri and Sg. Sarawak Kanan, copper bangles sarim are worn on the legs from the knees downward. In some villages, they also wear copper bangles on their arms and forearms as well. These are called tankis. They wore these sarim or tankis for status symbol and protection. Girdles of silver coins and coils of fine red and black rattans are commonly worn. In some villages, however, broad belts called sodar are also worn. these attires are also used during festive season "Hari Gawai"

MENS

WOMENS

MELANAU

for men. a handsome fit in jacket cut tunic with brocade samping, canary green chiffon shawl as waistband and a Javanese styled headgear. Black satin blouses, For womens, yellow songket sarong, red embroidered chest decoration complete with string pendant. These clothing are used during festive season called "Pesta Kaul"

MENS & WOMENS

History of Sarawak

The history of modern Sarawak is closely related to the adventures of an Englishman, James Brooke after his adventure to Sarawak in 1839. With a boundary extending from Tanjung Datu to Batang Samarahan, Sarawak then was one of Brunei’s territories and was ruled by its Governor, Pengiran Mahkota. Politically, the country was in a state of turmoil with the natives constantly in rebellion against Brunie’s authority. To restore order, the Raja Muda of Brunei was sent but failed in his mission until Brooke returned the following year and offered his assistance. As a reward for his success in pacifying the revolts, Brooke was installed as first Rajah of Sarawak in 1841. Thus began the reign of the White Rajahs under the the Brooke family which was to last more than a century.

During the first few decades of his first rule, Brooke’s hold over the century was greatly challenged not only by problems like piracy, but also by the armed resistance by his subjects, particularly the natives. Some measure of law and order was achieved and administrative changes were introduced. By 1861, Sarawak has been further enlarged with the Sultan’s cession of all the rivers and lands from Sadong River to Kidurong Point. By 1864, it has been recognized as an independent State by both the United States and Britain. Further cession of territory occurred in 1868 with the reign of the second Rajah, Charles Brooke, so that by 1885 Sarawak’s frontier extended to the valley of the Trusan River. In 1890, the Limbang region was added and in 1905, the Lawas River area was purchased from the British North Borneo Company.

Foreign protection was sought as early as the reign if the first Rajah to ensure Sarawak’s political and economic survival and independence but it was only in 1880 that Sarawak was accorded British protection. With the decline in piracy and in a situation of relative political stability economic development gained momentum, This continued during the reign of the third Rajah, Charles Vyner Brooke, who succeeded Charles Brooke in 1917.

In 1941, a new constitution was granted by the Rajah which paved the way for self-governance by the people. Among others, the constitution specified the composition of the Supreme Council and Council Negeri. Before the enactment could be effected, however, the Japanese invaded and occupied Borneo. When Sarawak was liberated in 1946, the third Rajah declared his intention to cede Sarawak to Great Britain, a decision which was opposed by many especially the natives who formed what was known as the Anti-Cession Movement. However, the Council Negeri voted 19 to 16 in favour of cession and Sarawak became a British Crown Colony on July the 1st, 1946. Dissatisfaction mounted, resulting in mass resignation of the of 388 Malay civil servants and the assassination of the Second British Governor of the colony of Sarawak in 1949. The British reaction to this attack was swift and the protest movement virtually died by 1950. A number of the anti-cessionists continued their involvement in politics and won for the State its "second independence" by supporting the formation of Malaysia mooted by Tunku Abdul Rahman, the then Chief Minister of Independent Malaya. In 1963, Sarawak achieved its independence within Malaysia.

J

ames Brooke

 Charles Vyner Brooke

Sarawak Map

Evolution of Sarawak flag

Events happening at Sarawak

Events that have been happening in Sarawak have taken a lot of attention across the globe. many have come to Malaysia just for the event happening.

RAINFOREST WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL

http://parochialsarawakian.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/rwmf.jpg

The Rainforest World Music Festival is an annual three-day music festival celebrating the diversity of world music, held in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, with daytime music workshops, cultural displays, craft displays, food stalls, and main-stage evening concerts. It is now one of the largest musical events in Malaysia with a total weekend audience approaching 30,000. The festival features a wide range of performances from traditional music, to world fusion and contemporary world music. The festival emphasizes the use of traditional acoustic world instruments, although electric accompaniment instruments are common. Invited performers come from Sarawak, other provinces of Malaysia, and countries near and far. 

PESTA BENAK

http://kebunketereh.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Benak-4.jpg

Pesta Benak (Tidal Bore Carnival) in Sri Aman is one of the yearly activities in the Sarawak tourism calendar. The objective of Pesta Benak Sri Aman is to introduce Sri Aman town through tourism and encourage tourist from in and outside the country to visit Sri Aman. Apart from it, Pesta Benak is also to promote harmony among local community. During spring tide, normally on the third and eighteen day of the Chinese Lunar Calendar, tidal bores with high magnitude can be observed clearly. The ‘benak’ continues its journey another 30 km inland, ending near the small village of Engkilili.

SARAWAK REGATTA

http://kuchingborneo.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/regatta.jpg
This annual event is the showcase of boat race with participation from various government agencies, private sectors and also participants from overseas such as Indonesia and Brunei. Other activities include displays of crafts and exhibitions by local entrepreneurs. The event include "Brooke Swim". kayaking and duck catching. Racing boats from the various villages around Sarawak will make it a grand affair and also a great occasion for families from outside Kuching to visit the city. Sarawak Regatta has been a premier event with a distinct historical and cultural significant. It was held as early as before 1872 and was organized as an annual event taking place during the New Year. Sarawak Regatta had recorded in 1872, that the annual Regatta that year washeld on 29th February 1872 at the Sarawak River infront of the Astana. The Europeon community in Sarawak and in the neighbouring countries were invited to the Astana. Keen competition were also recorded for the Rajah Cup. The boat "Sri Matu" built and manned by the melanaus, was reported as the winning boat. The Gazette records indicate that Regatta had been an important social event organized annually for social integration and goodwill for the people of Sarawak. The tradition of holding the annual Regatta in Sarawak River continued through the Colonial period and into the post-Malaysia period. During these periods the Regatta was organized by Resident and District Office with funds from the Government while the rest of the fund was raised through public donations