Well, readers, if you’re spotting the tampoi fruit popping up at the stalls, you know what that means – the fruit season is about to call it a day.
But let’s be real, we Bruneians are too fruit-obsessed to let it slip away quietly. It’s not over until the last fruit drops!
Carrying this juicy enthusiasm, a lively bunch of senior citizens at a cosy community hall in rural Tutong is determined to wrap up the season not with a whimper, but with a fest!
This weekend, the Dataran Gong Tiga Community Hall in Kampong Lamunin, has come alive with a small open-air marketplace, where community members and food growers from all around Mukim Lamunin have gathered to peddle the literal fruits of their labour.
From the ever-popular durian to quintessential seasonal delights like mangosteen, and even unique finds like the tampoi silau – named for its bright yellow flesh that practically dazzles you with its brilliance – this year’s Tamuneka Mukim Lamunin, is nothing short of a jungle bounty bonanza.
According to acting village head of Kampong Lamunin Madeli bin Haji Nawang, the fruit festival, now in its third year, isn’t just about helping the surrounding rural communities generate extra income – it’s a celebration of local food and fruit growers, providing a lively avenue to connect them with eager consumers.
Though the space might be quaint, the name of the community hall pays homage to the three main ethnicities that populate Mukim Lamunin: the Dusun, the Kedayan, and the Chinese.
During the fruit festival, this small hub bursts into a flurry of activity, transforming into a bustling marketplace. “This isn’t just a seasonal market; it’s a celebration of our local agriculture,” Madeli shared with a smile.
And indeed, it is! At one end of the market, you’ll find 83-year-old Hajah Jalimah, expertly splitting durians with her deceptively frail-looking hands – don’t let her age fool you; she’s a pro!
Meanwhile, in a different corner, a vendor is frying up golden jackfruit fritters, filling the air with a sweet aroma, while another is busy selling fruit saplings, chatting up a curious customer who just might be a budding agriculturist in the making.
Acting village head of Kampong Merimbun and Kampong Kuala Ungar Sani bin Nangkat, chimed in with his thoughts on the festival’s success over the years.
“In the three years this festival has been held, we’ve seen visitors coming just to see for themselves the local produce grown and harvested by our farmers,” he shared, clearly proud of the community’s efforts.
“Our local fruits are of high quality, ensuring that our people can take pride in what’s grown here,” the 58-year-old added.
He also noted that the vendors are primarily those who own and operate their own farms.
“These folks know their fruits inside out – they’ve nurtured them from sapling to harvest,” Sani said with a chuckle.
But beyond the bustling stalls and delicious offerings, Sani believes the fruit fest is about more than just selling produce. “It’s about strengthening relationships within the community,” he explained.
“It’s important for the public to meet and engage with the people who grow their food. This helps build bonds not only between farmers and vendors but also between growers and the broader community, boosting the economy among rural farmers.” With all the love for fruits, the laughter, and the lively chatter, it’s clear that this isn’t just a market – it’s a heartfelt celebration of community spirit and the bounties of nature. The Tamuneka Mukim Lamunin will run until September 1, from 6.30am to 6pm. – Wardi Wasil
