SNEAK PEEK: “The Sorcerer and the White Snake” (白蛇传说)
The White Snake (Eva Huang) falls in love with a young herbalist by the name of Xu Xian (Raymond Lam). With the help of the Green Snake (Charlene Choi), the White Snake then decides to venture into the human realm in order to marry Xu Xian.
While the couple remain happy and Xu Xian oblivious to the fact that his wife is a demon; Fa Hai (Jet Li), a sorcerer from Jinshan Temple, whose mission is to subdue demons and slay monsters, arrives in town and intends to break the couple up and to subdue the White Snake.
The main objective of the Baram Regatta was to substitute for old
bloody-feuds and to persuade the tribes to aid the government in keeping
the peace. To suppress fighting and head-hunting, the Resident of
Baram, Charles Hose organized an annual race for the war-canoes of all
the villagers to be held in April 1899. All the longhouses in the Baram
and Tinjar were informed. They included the Kenyahs of the Baram, the
Lirongs of the Tinjar and Madangs of the central highlands as well as a
number of Ibans.
On 6th April 1899, about five thousand people from Baram
and the Madang was encamped between the Resident’s bungalow and Fort
Hose. The Ibans took up quarters in the long row of Chinamen’s shop in
Marudi town. The Tinjar Lirongs arrived after sunset. They were dressed
in full war attires in their war canoes and on arrival the Lirongs
rushed up the hill to attack the Kenyahs in a mock battle. After the
clash, everyone settled down quietly for the night.
On daybreak of 7th April 1899, all the people assembled in
a temporary conference hall built with palm leaves. The Baram chiefs
sat on a long platform on one side of the hall while the Tinjar men on
the oter. The Resident placed himself in the middle. The two parties
exchanged messages and presents and the great boat race was announced to
take place on 8th April 1899.
At daybreak of the regatta twenty racing boats from all the
longhouses were brought to the starting point for miles upriver from the
Fort. Each boat carry between sixty t seventy men, sitting two
abreast. At the sound of a gun, the twenty boats leaped through the
water. Soon, two boats drew out in the front with a grand neck-to-neck
race. The winner was a crew of peaceful downriver folks who learned
boat making from the Malays of the coast. The crowds on the bank
behaved in good humor and forgot their feuds in the interest of racing.
As of today the regatta, with all its attraction, was not just a mere
celebration but beneath its glamorous facade the courageous young
paddlers from all over Baram district will gather here in Marudi to
competed in this thrilling 3days boat races. This BARAM REGATTA will
always be remembered as the historic significance of the fiesta.
Held once every two years, Baram Regatta, fills with excitement and
celebrations, is a reflection of the Baram’s colourful past and carries
with it cultural and historical significance. Colourful decorated long
boats trying to out run each other in the Baram river, boasting the
might of both the rowers and quality of their crafts. For Baram Regatta
2011, the organizer has line out interesting program such as speed boat
race, cultural shows, Baram Idol, beauty pageants, exhibitions and
many more.
Date: September 30 - October 2, 2011 Time: Venue: Marudi, Sarawak Organizer: Miri Resident Office & Marudi District Office Contact: Secretariat Phone: 085-433203, 085-755211 Fax: 085-441277, 085-756084 Email: Website: http://www.facebook.com/baramregatta
