By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, May 23: The Melanau Heritage Gallery will be a new icon in Oya, said Dalat assemblywoman Dato Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
Fatimah, who is also Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, said it would highlight the culture and heritage of the Melanau, especially from Dalat and Oya.
“The launching ceremony of the Melanau Heritage Gallery in Oya will be the starting point for the opening of this gallery to the public, and it will also further highlight the culture and heritage of the Melanau community on the world stage,” said Fatimah during a press conference on the launching ceremony of the Melanau Heritage Gallery held Baitulmakmur 2 building in Petra Jaya, today.
Fatimah noted the gallery consists of two sections; the first section will display the early history of the settlement in Oya and exhibit artefacts related to the culture and heritage of the Melanau Dalat and Oya communities.
She said the second section would showcase the economy, cultural practices, places of interest and local figures of the Melanau community.
“The Melanau Heritage Gallery opening ceremony will be launched by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at 10.30am on May 28,” she added.
In conjunction with the opening ceremony, the N56 Dalat Development Exhibition and the Exhibition and Sale of Handicraft Products will also be open to the public for two days, from May 28 until 29, at the SJK (C) Yak Tee Basketball Court, Oya.
Apart from that, a Community Booth Exhibition will also be held, which showcases live demonstrations to the public on Melanau traditional food, games, musical instruments, and medicine in the Dalat and Oya areas.
Among other activities following the launching ceremony is the ‘Berlagger Meja’ event that will be joined by 30 villages from Dalat and Oya, including the ‘Kepala Meja’ preparing tradition, which is a symbolic practice for the local community. — DayakDaily
