LIMBANG: Buffalo races were the highlight of the Babulang Festival, celebrated by Sarawak’s Bisaya community at Batu Danau here.
Twenty-five buffaloes and their riders took part in five races last Saturday, including a straight race and a two-lap race for small and large buffaloes, and a relay.
There were hilarious moments when several riders fell off their mounts and some buffaloes running in the wrong direction.
Sarawak Bisaya Association president Antonio Kahti Galis said this year’s participation in the buffalo race was the biggest since the festival was first held in 2004.
In addition, there was a contest for the best decorated buffalo cart, which was used in the past by the Bisaya to transport rice.
The two-day festival, organised by the association, also featured a beauty contest for Bisaya beauties on Friday night.
Marliza Masniz Marten, 23, from Kampung Tanjung here, was crowned Ratu Babulang in the contest, beating 20 other contestants.
Christina Low Divid, 19, from here, and 22-year-old Jesseca Amy Linggi from Kampung Anak Tuno were first and second runners-up, respectively.
A delegation from the Sabah Bisaya Association led by its president Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Okim took part in the festival for the first time and put on several cultural performances.
icipation in the buffalo race was the biggest since the festival was first held in 2004. 
