Bario Food & Cultural Festival 2024

As we conclude the Pesta Nukenen 2024, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this event a success.
We extend our deepest thanks to YAB Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and Minister for Energy Transition and Water Transformation Malaysia, for making the journey from far to be with us. It was a pleasure to host you.
Our sincere appreciation also goes to our local representatives, YB Datuk Gerawat Gala, State Assemblyman for N78 Mulu, and YB Dato Anyi Ngau, Member of Parliament for P220 Baram. Your unwavering support has been an invaluable source of encouragement.
We are profoundly grateful to our esteemed partners, the Miri City Council. Your collaboration with the Pesta Nukenen Committee, Rurum Kelabit Sarawak, and the Bario community has been instrumental in elevating Pesta Nukenen to new heights.
Our heartfelt thanks extend to the Miri Resident Office, District Office, the police, agriculture, and immigration departments, as well as the various federal and state government ministries, agencies, and departments, non-governmental organisations, the Highland Development Agency (HDA), and our generous sponsors. Your ‘invisible but invaluable’ assistance and support behind the scenes, on the ground, and in the media throughout the entire process has shown tremendous professionalism and care for our community, driving and sustaining this event over the years.
We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to all our Ketua Masyarakat, Ketua Kampungs, the Kaum Ibu, The Belia Bario, the Church pastors, and our elder from their respective longhouses, who have shouldered the load of preparing and organizing this festival with us. The gotong-royong spirit, village coordination, and longhouse contributions to every cultural facet of the festival-from the food to the performances-have beautifully coloured our event.
A special thank you goes to the Bario secondary and primary schools for passing our traditions to the younger generation through their students’ participation and contributions in the cultural performances. It is a joy to see our young people showcasing our culture in full colour and even outshining the adults. Great stuff!
In closing, we express our deepest appreciation to all who have supported Pesta Nukenen over the years. This is not an easy festival to get to, but you have made the flights and braved the long overland journey. Your enthusiasm has been the bedrock of our festival’s success.
To our fans and supporters who have attended the festival or are yet to come, and who have seen, liked, and shared our updates on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Telegram, and everywhere else, we are so blessed to share our festival with you online. As technology progresses, we hope to perhaps go virtual with you all one day.
Until then, thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.
Warmest regards,
Puan Dara Tigan & Lilla Raja-Hodder
Co-organising Chairmen
Kaum Wanita Bario and Pesta Nukenen Committee
17th Pesta Nukenen Bario, 2024