Bung Bratak Day - 1st May

Bung Bratak, located off 6th Miles Bau-Lundu Road via Kampung Tembawang Sauh, was once a large Bidayuh hill settlement of seven longhouses. Bidayuh elders of the Jagoi-Bratak origins from over 40 villages in Kuching Lundu and Bau districts were said to have originated from Bung Bratak.

For many centuries, Bung Bratak that overlook the lush valleys of the surrounding areas has been known to be the cradle of civilisation for the Bidayuh people where many great deeds were conducted and honoured. A plaque found at the top of Bung Bratak traces the history of the site.

In 1000 AD, a large group of people from Gunung.Sungkong, Kalimantan moved to the site and made it their home. It was a strategic location overlooking a lush valley of fertile ground. The natural stairway leading up to Bung Bratak, which is now used by the Bidayuhs to pay tribute to the site, was originally used as a route for the villagers to reach their farms.

On May 1, 1838, the settlement was attacked and burnt to the ground by raiders from the Skrang area. After the fall of Bung Bratak, its inhabitants relocated.

To commemorate the exodus, the Dayak Bidayuh National Association initiated Bung Bratak Day in 1988.

Every year on May 1, descendants of the survivors of the 1837 massacre will hold Jagoi-Bratak Day on top of Bung Bratak in Bau district, Sarawak, in memory of their ancestors.

Bung Bratak Day is an annual event marked by Bidayuh cultural performances and traditional activities including a beauty pageant held at the summit.







Kampong Tembawang Sauh, ..this narrow road will lead to the foot of the hill where the former settlement is....marked in the circle.



..where the road ends..



..and this path awaits you.



..some stair made of hardwood



..leading up the hill..





..take the breath first, and when we arrived, these girls will hang around at the entrance. Submit to them some token...



..we arrived quite late (round 11am) and this is the last contestant for the Miss Bung Bratak beauty pageant contest.



..lining up of all the contestants



..view from the top...Mount Singai is clearly visible








..some post-process effect..






...some VIPs present during the day..


..part of one thousand reported visitors













...and the winner.





...food and drink stall..Bintang beer is RM4 per can



...brothers from Tembawang sauh having their drink..



..we were hanging around near the small stream when this guy offered us a drink...which we delightedly accept it...






..stream of water from bamboo..(skibang pi-in in Biatah)





..one of the beauty pageant contestant having a splash after the hectic show...



...after roughly three hours on top of the hill, then now its time for descend..









..one of many resting places for visitors to catch a breather...



..kids of the village..



..we have a drink at the village's small shop, courtesy of one very nice brother from Tembawang Sauh...who then shows us his small concrete pool, full of catfish....



thanks brother.....