Lupar River
{{short description|River in Sarawak, Malaysia}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Lupar
| native_name ={{native name|ms|Batang Lupar}}
| name_other = Sungai Batang Lupar
| name_etymology =
| image = Sunset at Batang Lupar.jpg
| image_size = 300
| image_caption = Sunset at Lupar
| map =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| pushpin_map = #Malaysia#Asia#Earth
| pushpin_map_size = 300
| pushpin_map_caption= Location in Malaysia.
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = Malaysia
| subdivision_type2 =
| subdivision_name2 =
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_type4 =
| subdivision_name4 =
| subdivision_type5 =
| subdivision_name5 =
| length = {{convert|275|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location=Sebuyau, Kampung Teriso, South China Sea (near mouth)
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg ={{convert|490|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_max =
| source1 = Klinkang Range
| source1_location = Malaysia
| source1_coordinates=
| source1_elevation =
| mouth =
| mouth_location = South China Sea, Malaysia
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|1|30|51.6|N|110|58|58.7|E|display=inline}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|0|m|abbr=on}}
| progression =
| river_system =
| basin_size ={{convert|6,558|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
| tributaries_left =
| tributaries_right =
| custom_label =
| custom_data =
| extra =
}}
The Lupar River ({{langx|ms|Sungai Batang Lupar or Batang Lupar}}) is a river in Sarawak, Malaysia. The river mouth is located between Sebuyau and Kampung Teriso, in Sri Aman Division.
Overview
The 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.{{cite journal |url= https://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/26230/1/Mohd%20Izwan%20(2019)%20-%20Historical%20Perspective,%20Distribution,%20Ecology%20and%20Population%20Genetics%20of%20Saltwater%20Crocodile%20(Crocodylus%20porosus%20Schneider,%201801)%20in%20Sarawak,%20Malaysian%20Borneo.pdf |title=Historical Perspective, Distribution, Ecology and Population Genetics of Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus Schneider, 1801) in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo|author=Mohd Izwan Zulaini bin Abdul Gani|access-date=12 December 2019}}{{cite news |url= http://www.astroawani.com/gaya-hidup/rohani-batang-lupar-dan-geografinya-172509 |title=Rohani, Batang Lupar dan geografinya |work=Astro Awani|author=Malissa Sahari|language=ms| date= 10 April 2018|access-date=12 December 2019}}
;Notable settlements
Notable settlements along the Lupar River, arranged from the mouth to upriver are:
- Sebuyau
- Kampung Teriso
- Lingga{{cite news |url= https://www.theborneopost.com/2011/02/24/lingga-folk-still-dependent-on-batang-lupar/ |title=Lingga folk still dependent on Batang Lupar |work=The Borneo Post|date= 24 February 2011|access-date=13 December 2019}}
- Simanggang{{cite news |url= https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2019/10/510796/sri-aman-jadi-simanggang-semula |title=Sri Aman jadi Simanggang semula |work=Harian Metro|author=Joshua Eric|language=ms| date= 25 October 2019|access-date=13 December 2019}}
- Engkilili
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. The Lupar River is among 56 places in the world where the tidal bore has been observed.
The Benak Festival ({{langx|ms|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.{{cite news |url= https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2007/06/19/thousands-watch-tidal-bore-at-batang-lupar |title=Thousands watch tidal bore at Batang Lupar |work=The Star|author=Jack Wong| date=19 June 2007|access-date=12 December 2019}}{{cite news |url= https://sarawaktourism.com/event/tidal-bore-festival-pesta-benak/ |title=Tidal Bore Festival (Pesta Benak) 2019
|work=Sarawak Tourism|access-date=12 December 2019}}
Wildlife
;Crocodile attacks
The Lupar River is infamously known for its crocodile attacks. Between 1900 and 2017, 22.2% of crocodile attacks in Sarawak are recorded in the Lupar Basin, the highest in the state.
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 of the Lupar River where the first known attack by this crocodile had happened.{{cite news |url= https://www.libur.com.my/lagenda-bujang-senang-si-buaya-pembaham-ramai-manusia-di-sarawak/ |title=Lagenda Bujang Senang, Si Buaya Pembaham Ramai Manusia di Sarawak|work=Libur|author=Husna| date=10 July 2019|language=ms|access-date=12 December 2019}}{{cite news |url= https://cilisos.my/heres-the-story-behind-bujang-senang-a-crocodile-that-once-terrorized-sarawak/ |title=HERE'S THE STORY BEHIND BUJANG SENANG, A CROCODILE THAT ONCE TERRORIZED SARAWAK|work=cilisos.my|author=Badd| date=28 November 2017|access-date=12 December 2019}} In popular culture, the name Bujang Senang (the Crocs) was adopted as the nickname of the state’s football team Sarawak FA.{{cite news |url= https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/community-sports/2018/01/31/crocs-aiming-to-enter-top-flight-all-parties-must-help-raise-standard-of-football-in-sarawak-says-mi |title=Crocs aiming to enter top flight|work=The Star|author=GERYL OGILVY| date=31 January 2018|access-date=12 December 2019}}