Berawans bank on illustrious past in Regatta

MIRI: The smallest indigenous Kenyah sub-group, the Berawans of Mulu-Long Terawan, took part in the Sarawak Regatta in Kuching on Aug 31, carrying the hopes of the Baram people of winning a few races.

The Berawans have ruled the waves in the historical Baram Regatta for at least three decades. This is the first time the famous Berawans with their vociferous war cry are taking part in boat racing outside their territory which they have dominated for so long.

“We are taking part in the Sarawak Regatta more to celebrate the 50th Merdeka with the rest of Malaysians in our State capital. Nevertheless we promise to give our best and pose the greatest challenge to the other teams from the rest of Sarawak,” said team manager Garry Hassim Wan.

He told The Borneo Post this at Kuala Baram before the team left for Kuching in three buses yesterday. The team comprises 58 men paddlers and 18 women paddlers. The team accompanied by four boats is taking part in seven of the boat racing events.

One of the boats, the famous Tedung Melancar 7, has a unique history that was told to The Borneo Post by ex-paramount chief of the Orang Ulu in Baram, former Temenggong Baya Malang.

“A snake went into the boat as our people were making it in the jungle. When they brought the boat out of the jungle down a hill, it slided like a snake, avoiding the trees on its way down the hill,” said Baya Malang. Tedung Melancar was born, and in the 1954 Baram Regatta during its debut, the boat ruled the waves of the mighty Baram River.

“The most memorable win of Tedung Melancar was in the 1972 Baram Regatta when we won the Sultan Pahang Cup. In second place was Tun Rahman’s boat which happened to be one of my boats also, and in third place was Tuanku Haji Bujang’s boat from Kuching,” reminisced Baya Malang.

Tedung Melancar 7 will now compete in Kuching, as if to repay the favour of yesteryears. The number seven denotes the seventh generations of Tedung Melancar since it was born. The other three boats are Sri Terawan-Mulu 1, Sri Terawan-Mulu 2 and Sri Terawan-Mulu 3 built by Dick Mane, a younger generation Berawan boatbuilder.

The patron of the team was a political secretary to the Chief Minister, Robert Laing Anyie. Two of the boats will take part in the VIP races representing Baram Member of Parliament Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan and assemblyman Lihan Jok. The boats will also represent Sarawak Forestry Corporation and Royal Mulu Resort in the race among the hotels. Backed by six months of intensive training, the Berawan boat warriors are sure to make waves during the Sarawak Regatta in Kuching.

The Borneo Post