Recently Kampung Boyan, a traditional Malay village in the midst of bustling Kuching city, played host to more than 20 top cardiologists in the ASEAN region.
Having completed a three-day Cardiologist ASEAN Federation Council meeting in Kuching, the cardiologists were treated to a traditional Malay dinner co-ordinated by the Sarawak Convention Bureau.
The cardiologists were ferried across the Sarawak River to the village in sampans for dinner at ‘My Village Baruk’ restaurant, a name which complemented its structure that emulated the traditional headhouse of the Bidayuh ethnic group.
The group was served Malay signature dishes while being serenaded by the sounds of the Malay Gendang (drums) played by three ladies as they ‘berpantun’ (extemporising a quatrain).
As part of the dinner, the group also got to experience a Hari Raya open house. The Hari Raya or literally a ‘day of celebration’ normally occurs after a month long of fasting during the Muslim month of Ramadan.
But that night, the festivity came early for these guests to give them an insight as to how the celebration is held in Sarawak.
Three houses graciously opened its doors to the group. With the men dressed in their baju Melayu and the women in their colourful baju Kurung, the group was served a ‘kampung style’ coffee, a treat of local cakes and good conversation of customs and traditions.
Walking back to the ‘gondolas’ of the Sarawak river, the president of the ASEAN Federation of Cardiologist Professor Idris Idham said the whole dinner experience further adds to his good impression of the people of Sarawak.
He said that it turned out to be no ordinary dinner as he got to interact with the locals too and found out more about the people and their nature.
Sharing a similar opinion was Dr Nguyen Ngoc Quang from Hanoi who said that in some extent, Vietnam and Sarawak shared some similarities in culture.
“Of course the food is different and I have experienced something new while I’m here. But tonight is quite calming and nice,” he added.
Whereas Dr Kenny Sin from the National Heart Centre in Singapore went out to described the whole dinner adventure as ‘exceptional’.
“It is not often that you get invited into people’s home and be treated like a King. I can’t imagine the whole family getting dressed up to welcome strangers into their home,” he said.
