Introducing Maliangin Island

The reason for the Pesta being held in Banggi by the WWF was to promote tourism for a neighboring Island, Maliangin. Some of the events included a game where the kids race across a field to blow flour off a plate until they could get a lollie in their mouth without hands and race back.

There was also the race to blow up a balloon until it popped and the attempt to eat an apple hanging on a string hands free. This proved tricker than anticipated and the apples were pulled off in the finish.

The traditional stilt race was a favorite of mine. Being experienced in the field of stilt racing from when I was a schoolboy I almost gave it a shot until I seen about half the foot pegs fall out of the bamboo poles during practice.

Women’s tug of war was worth a look although being on the other end of the rope was way to scary. Would rather take my chances on the stilts.

The extreme of the women’s tug of war was the beauty contest. This almost didn’t take place as it was a Friday, and was to be held over the road from the local mosque. The girls were devastated after practicing all morning and in the end the head mosque guy allowed it if they wore their he-jib. (thing that covers the head)

Amanda got roped into a tug of war match the following day on Mallangi resulting in a sore knee and a pulled back muscle. I told her not to mess with the big girls. You will have to watch the video to see the action.