KUCHING (Sept 17): The three-day Borneo Tuak Festival over the long weekend here attracted some 10,000 visitors.

Co-organised by Sago Group and the Culinary Heritage and Arts Society Sarawak (CHASS) in collaboration with several other groups, the festival involved some 80 booths.

When officiating at the festival’s closing ceremony on Sunday, Deputy Minister for Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said for the Dayak, tuak is more than just a drink.

“It’s a living symbol of our identity, heritage, and history, and moreover, the rice wine connects them to the land, to our ancestors, and to one another,” he pointed out.

Snowdan said he witnessed how tuak was honoured in ceremonies while he was growing up.

“It marked rituals, celebrated milestones, and bonded communities. Tuak is not just part of our celebrations; it symbolises our connection to the earth, the rice paddies that sustain us, and the ancestors who passed down their wisdom.

“Today, I am proud to see tuak evolving beyond just a cultural symbol, developing into an industry that honours our adat while also presenting immense potential for Sarawak’s economic growth,” he said.

The Balai Ringin assemblyman said the festival was a platform to showcase not only traditional Iban, Bidayuh, and Orang Ulu tuak, but also the modern, experimental brews that are now emerging.

The creativity of local brewers, including Sarawak’s very own gin made from langkau, called Ringin, demonstrates the innovation in cultural heritage, he said.

According to him, new creations will benefit not only rice farmers but also local fruit and vegetable farmers as makers explore the use of local ingredients in tuak production.

“Supporting the commercialisation of tuak will unlock economic opportunities, especially for rural farmers and brewers, similar to what Bali has achieved with arak,” he said.

He cited Bali’s special provision for arak, a traditional alcohol brewed in a predominantly Muslim country, as a commercialised item that has been preserved for its craft while contributing to opening doors to international markets.

“Much like tuak in Sarawak, arak in Bali is deeply intertwined with the cultural and spiritual practices of the local communities. This has resulted in job creation, income generation, and cultural preservation.

“Bali’s arak industry brings in millions annually, and we can replicate that success here while ensuring our own traditions continue to thrive,” he said.

He added the best innovations come from this celebration of differences, but are rooted in the same deep connection to this land and its people.

He also called for tuak to be transformed into a global product, much like Japan’s sake or Korea’s makgeolli.

On Malaysia Day, Snowdan said it should serve as a reminder of the nation’s diversity.

“When Sarawak formed Malaysia with the other partners, we brought with us our rich mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions.

“Much like the threads of pua kumbu are woven into one beautiful canvas, our lives are intertwined, each contributing to the vibrant fabric of our nation,” he stressed.