Lupar River

The Lupar River (Malay: Sungai Batang Lupar or Batang Lupar) is a river in Sarawak, Malaysia. The river mouth is located in between Sebuyau and Kampung Teriso, in Sri Aman Division.

Lupar
Sungai Batang Lupar
Location in Malaysia.
Lupar River (Asia)
Lupar River (Earth)
Native nameBatang Lupar
Location
CountryMalaysia
Physical characteristics
SourceKlinkang Range
 • locationMalaysia
Mouth 
 • location
South China Sea, Malaysia
 • coordinates
1°30′51.6″N 110°58′58.7″E
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length275 km (171 mi)

Overview

Lupar River flows from the Klinkang Range towards the South China Sea. The river flows 275 kilometers and is the third longest river in Sarawak, after the Rajang River and Baram River.[1][2]

Notable settlements

Notable settlements along the Lupar River, arranged from the mouth to upriver are:

Natural attractions
Tidal bore

The tidal bore, known locally as benak is a unique natural phenomenon in which the incoming tide form waves as high as three meters that travel up the river against the current. Lupar River is among 56 places in the world where the tidal bore has been observed.

The Benak Festival (Malay: Pesta Benak) is held annually along the bank of the Lupar River in Sri Aman. Besides water-based events, the festival also features Miss Tourism Benak and Ratu Kebaya Benak, singing competitions and food bazaars, traditional games, a trade expo with sale of local produce, an exhibition on the tidal bore in Batang Lupar and a showcase of traditional Iban, Malay and Chinese wedding ceremonies.[5][6]

Wildlife
Crocodile attacks

Lupar River is infamously known for its crocodile attacks.[2] Between 1900 and 2017, 22.2% of crocodile attacks in Sarawak are recorded in the Lupar Basin, the highest in the state.[1]

These crocodile attacks became the source of local legend and mythology, named Bujang Senang (happy bachelor) which refers to a 19 ft-crocodile that inhabited the Lupar River. The colloquial name of "bujang" means someone who is a champ, a great person, and it is a sign of respect while “Senang” refers to the Senang River, one of the tributaries in Lupar River where the first known attack by this crocodile had happened.[1][7][8] In popular culture, the name Bujang Senang (the Crocs) was adopted as the nickname of the state’s football team Sarawak FA.[9]

References
  1. Mohd Izwan Zulaini bin Abdul Gani. "Historical Perspective, Distribution, Ecology and Population Genetics of Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus Schneider, 1801) in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo" (PDF). Retrieved 12 December 2019. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. Malissa Sahari (10 April 2018). "Rohani, Batang Lupar dan geografinya". Astro Awani (in Malay). Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  3. "Lingga folk still dependent on Batang Lupar". The Borneo Post. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  4. Joshua Eric (25 October 2019). "Sri Aman jadi Simanggang semula". Harian Metro (in Malay). Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  5. Jack Wong (19 June 2007). "Thousands watch tidal bore at Batang Lupar". The Star. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  6. "Tidal Bore Festival (Pesta Benak) 2019". Sarawak Tourism. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  7. Husna (10 July 2019). "Lagenda Bujang Senang, Si Buaya Pembaham Ramai Manusia di Sarawak". Libur (in Malay). Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  8. Badd (28 November 2017). "HERE'S THE STORY BEHIND BUJANG SENANG, A CROCODILE THAT ONCE TERRORIZED SARAWAK". cilisos.my. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  9. GERYL OGILVY (31 January 2018). "Crocs aiming to enter top flight". The Star. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
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