Bario festival to offer taste of indigenous food, culture

MIRI: Visitors to the Bario will be given a taste of indigenous food at a three-day festival from 25th to 27th this month, which is the first of its kind to be held in the country.

Organising chairman John Tarawe yesterday said the festival not only showcased the indigenous food of the community but also their cultural performances, handicrafts, sports and heritage.

The festival is organised by the local community in Bario with support from the Miri Resident’s Office, Sarawak Tourism Board, Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism and Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications Lee Kim Shin.

Held for the second time in the highlands, the festival is themed ‘A Strong Community-based Celebration of Traditional Kelabit Food and Farming Practices, Beautiful Highland Forests and Local Cultural Heritage’.

It aims to attract more tourists to the Bario.

John said they were expecting at least 21 stalls with the proceeds to be channelled to the Kelabit-Bario community fund and e-Bario project community.

He said the main objective of the festival was to liberate the knowledge and activities of highlanders as economic potential, through skills and forest protection by serving as a beacon to the highland areas.

A similar festival was held in March last year.

For information on accommodation and tour guide services, refer to the Bario Food Festival flyer and visit e-Bario online website at www.ebario.com or contact John Tarawe at 019-438-1777 or 085-791056.

Written By:
Anthony Joseph
The Borneo Post
15th May 2007