Bung Bratak 1st May 2009

Bung Bratak is the ancestral home of the bidayuhs of the Jagoi-Bratak and other Bidayuh groups in Bau, Kuching and Lundu Districts.

It is confirmed by historians and researchers that Bung Bratak was founded more than 750 years ago. Some believe that the Bung Bratak’s original settlers came from Sungkung, now a part of the Indonesian Province of West Kalimantan.

For hundred of years, the people of Bung Bratak lived peacefully, planting rice and other subsistence crops ata the foot-hills that surrounded the hilltop. The settlement was attacked and razed to the ground on 1st. May 1838 by raiders from the Skrang area. From then on, the people started to move out and started their own villages elsewhere. The last groups to move out were the people of Tembawang Sauh and Jugan who left in the early 1960s.

Bung Bratak was rebuilt by 1841 under the leadership of Panglima Kulow who sought the assistance of James Brooke, the First White Rajah of Sarawak.

Over thirty villages in Bau and Lundu Districts, one in Penrissen(Kuching District) and seven in the Seluas District of West Kalimantan, Indonesia originate from Bung Bratak. Many other villages in Bau (e.g,Kandis and Sungei Pinang) and Kuching (Bumbuk) alsi originated from Bung Bratak, they were established before the attack in 1838.

Because of its historical significance, Bidayuhs of the villages that claim their ancestry to Bung Bratak visit it on 1st May each year to commemorate its fall in 1838,and to remember their past and origin.

Bung Bratak Day was initiated and proclaimed by the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) in 1988, then headed by Dato’ Peter Minos.

Source: Bidayuh.com

——————————————————————————————–Last Friday, 1st may 2009 me and my wife went to this historical bidayuh’s place called Bung Bratak. Bung means “top” and bratak means “fight/war/quearral’.it is known that this is the place where Biadayuhs form Bau/Lundu originated. we were driving from Kuching for about an hour before reaching the place. then we have to park far from the hill as there were limited parking space, but no worries, its safe. but then,you can also go by public transport.

If you go by public transport, just take the Sarawak Transport Company (STC) Bus No.2 and pay RM3 for the trip. The bus leaves every 40 minutes and takes around an hour to reach the settlement (first bus is at 6am, last bus is at 6pm); alternatively you can take a taxi to get to the area.

 

we started our journey about 9am from kuching and arrived there about 10am.after putting on our shoes,we started the journey.although its only a kilometres of hiking uphill, but because of the slippery and muddy tracks due to the raining previous night, it made the hiking more tiresome and fun (i guess).

to go uphill, there were staircases built by the villagers,but not all the way.the stairs are built using teak wood and even its is slippery as it was covered with mud and fungi..

after a long 1 hour hiking..we reached the top..yeah!!it was a feeling of satisfaction.with all the sweating, wet shirt and even pants, short of breath..it was a well worth journey to a historical place of your own heritage.it was a pleasure to finally step your foot on top of the hill.

on top Bung Bratak, you can see the “Baruk” and the “Balai” where activities such as Kumang Bidayuh (bidayuh maiden), bidayuh traditional dance, etc were held..

after spending almost 2 hours enjoying the views and taking pictures, we went down.the journey downhill is much more easier than going uphill with our happy faces and satisfaction.

here are some views and picies taken around Bung Bratak:

 

to be continue… 

 

~ by gothness on 04/05/2009.