KUCHING, March 20: Tribal art and cultural artists especially in Sarawak must ensure traditional tribal elements of are properly applied in their respective works.
According to a news report from Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) today, Deputy Minister of Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said an accurate depiction of tribal elements should be given to prevent the public from misinterpreting existing culture.
“There is no obstacle to implement it in a ‘hybrid’ way, as long as it does not stray too far from the original element especially when we are doing performances abroad.
“Foreigners will not know how the songs of Orang Ulu, Iban, Bidayuh and so on. If we use a contemporary type of song, then they will consider it as our tribal song. So, we have to be careful,” he said during a Townhall Session with artists in the creative industry in Miri, on Saturday (March 18).
Meanwhile, Snowdan said his ministry hoped to produce a ‘Yellow Pages’-like directory which lists information related to creative industry artists in Sarawak.
He added it will also connect all those involved in the creative industry and allow interested industries to know what Sarawak has to offer. – DayakDaily
