PADAWAN: The inaugural Bidayuh Mystique Festival (BMF 2022) has drawn over 6,000 visitors throughout the three-day event.

The three-day programme kicked off with traditional dance competition on the first day, followed by poco-poco dance and Dayung Remus Bidayuh Mystique on the second night and traditional cooking competition on the last day.

It is understood that there are plans to make BMF even grander in the coming years.

New Sarawak Tribune spoke to three residents of Kampung Bunuk about their thoughts on turning BMF into an event of a larger scale in the future.

Zinnia Siza Thomas Reding, 29

I welcomed the idea of turning it into a larger scale event because it can help nurture the youths, especially about the Bidayuh’s culture. The future generations can learn a thing or two from this kind of programme too.

Judikok,56

I agree that should the festival is to be held every year, it serves as a platform for us to showcase the culture and cuisine of the Bidayuh to many.

Leno Lenem Lister Nonek, 25

This event should be held annually to educate the youths about the past history of the Bidayuh in terms of culture. Sabah, for example, has Unduk Ngadau which is annually held and the event has a huge following from Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and also Sabahans themselves. I hoped that BMF, too, will have a huge following not only from the locals but also those outside of Sarawak.