The buffalo race festival, also known locally as 'Pesta Babulang', is significant to the Bisaya community in Limbang. The Bisaya is one of the twenty-seven ethnic groups of Sarawak.
This year's Pesta Babulang 2013 will be held at Batu Danau, Limbang from June 7-9. As always, it will highlight the many facets of Bisaya unique culture, traditional foods and local handicrafts to visitors.
The highlight of the festival is the buffalo race involving teams from Limbang, Sabah and Brunei trying to outrace each other riding on bare buffalo back.
'Kuntul berhias' (decorated float)
Another highlight of the festival is 'Ratu Babulang' that draws many Bisaya lasses to vie for this annual beauty crown.
Community Feast – one of the local delicacies of this northern region of Sarawak is 'Pulut Wajik' as can seen in their green banana wrapping on the platters.
'Pulut Wajik' – sweet and melts-in-your-mouth food. It is made from millet and flavoured with palm sugar
This three-day celebration includes various activities such as cultural performances, cooking contest, beauty pageant, handicrafts exhibition and lucky draws. This annual festival is organised by the Bisaya Association and it also serves to promote the tourism industry of the Limbang Division.
How to get there?
MASWings currently operating daily flights from Miri to Limbang. To reach the venue, visitor can take a taxi from Limbang town which costs RM50 one-way and takes about 45 minutes to reach Batu Danau. Visitor who travel from Brunei will easily find the site as it is only 15 minutes drive from the border of Tedungan.