SRI AMAN, May 29: Iban elders should impart knowledge and appreciation about their rich cultural heritage to the youths for the benefit of the generations to come.
Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan said this was because this knowledge was not necessarily taught in school, but was inherited and developed via traditions, customs and practices over time.
Speaking during the Gawai Bazaar 2018 closing ceremony in Sri Aman on May 26, he also opined that the Ibans should also equip themselves with the ‘merits of business ideals’ in order to reap the benefits and get a slice of the economic pie of the country.
“The unique Sarawak culture should not only be preserved but strongly guarded against entry of unwarranted influences, ideologies, religious extremism and the likes that may erodes the substance and originality of our strong cultural heritage,” said Snowdan.
Meanwhile, on the subject of Gawai Bazaar 2018, Snowdan said he would like to see the event organised annually just like Pesta Benak (tidal bore festival) and subsequently be placed on the state’s tourism calendar.
This year’s Gawai Bazaar saw 28 stalls set up by aspiring local entrepreneurs dealing with food, textiles and handicrafts for the last two weeks.
Snowdan said this also bodes well with the Ramadan month where Muslims would also take advantage to visit the bazaar to find food to break fast while at the same time find other traditional items as souvenirs or decorations for homes.
To complement his support for the event, Snowdan also announced a grant of RM20,000 to assist the organiser of the bazaar, Persatuan Gendang Pampat dan Main Asal Iban Bukit Begunan.
This was in addition to the amounts granted by Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Masing and Bukit Begunan assemblyman Datuk Mong Dagang which were RM50,000 and RM20,000 respectively to the association.
Also present were Political Secretary to the Chief Minister Dato Sri Doris Sophia Brodie and Sri Aman Resident Indit Bangai. — DayakDaily
