MUKAH: The Mukah Kaul 2017 kicked-off with a unique riverine procession, the main feature of the festival called `Serahang’ (an intricately decorated flat round basket raised on a bamboo pole), yesterday morning.
The ‘Serahang’ procession started from a private jetty at Kampung Tellian Daya here passing the village, Kampung Penakub Hilir, Mukah Old Town before concluding at the delta of Batang Mukah at a spot called ‘Tugek’ located about 200 metres from the Kaul site, Taman Kala Dana.
The almost one hour procession was participated by a leading boat carrying the `Serahang’ and about 50 boats following.
The colourful event called ‘Kaul Serahang Kakan Mukah’ commenced with the procession from Kampung Tellian at about 6.30am and arrived at ‘Tugek’ at about 7.45am.
Upon arrival at Tugek beach, the procession leader, Edmund Sleman Tuna, brought the ‘Serahang’ to a special area where he planted it into the ground before placing foodstuffs on it.
Edmund then walked to the seaside to broadcast beras kunyit (tumeric rice) into the sea while chanting.
Among a popular chants heard was, “We call upon the spirits of good intent so that we may have abundance and good health, all that is good whether from the sea, sky and below, live in harmony and peace and fellowship, good life and good fortune, abundant catches of fish and abundant supply of food, fruits and chase away all that are evil.”
After the ceremony, a feast of the day was held where hundreds of revelers sitting on a long canvas enjoyed local delicacies brought by the villagers especially for the event.
The ‘Kaul Serahang Kakan’ which is part of the Mukah Kaul proper attracted about 500 revellers from walks of life in the state.
Also seen at the event were joint deputy chairman of Mukah Kaul 2017, Tellian Assemblyman, Yussibnosh Balo, Balingian Assemblyman, Abdul Yakub Haji Arbi, Mukah Division Resident, Awang Johari Awang Mustapha, Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Faridah Osman, Temenggong Hendi Suhai, heads of departments and local community leaders.
And the Mukah Kaul Festival 2017 featuring social, sports and economic activities will be held at Taman Kala Dana here.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud is expected to officiate at the Mukah Kaul Festival 2017 next Saturday (29 April) while the one-week long programme is expected to be officially closed by the Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Haji Johari Tun Openg on 30 April.
