KUCHING, April 30: A delegation of indigenous people from Sarawak with the majority wearing the Iban traditional ‘sirat’ clothing, will board an AirAsia aircraft and depart from Miri to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah at 6.30pm today.
A ‘sirat’ is a type clothing usually worn wound around one’s waist and is adorned by patterns commonly seen on Iban traditional costumes.
Sarawak indigenous peoples rights activist Peter John Jaban, who is leading the group, said there are a total of 72 people in the delegation, and 60 of them are dressed in ‘sirat’.
The group aims to create history by wearing the ‘sirat’ on a plane barefoot and have their upper body exposed to showcase their tattoos.
The group is expected to arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 7.20pm and will be welcomed by a delegation of Sabah indigenous people.
“The organiser and the delegation’s manager Dr Robert Lingga is very appreciative and thankful for the full support and cooperation by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak to make the activity a success,” he said in a statement today.
Upon arrival, the delegation will head to Sabah Waterfront to do a flash mob led by several Sarawakian traditional musicians.
On May 1, the group will visit Tenom where they will be welcomed by Murut people to hold a cultural performance at Kampung Pulong.
On May 2, the group will depart from Tenom to Keningau where they will be briefed on the origins of the famous Batu Sumpah before moving to Tambunan to visit the Tambunan Heroes Monument and then to Monurali Garden Resort, Penampang.
On May 3, the group will remain at Monurali Garden Resort, Penampang for cultural performances, tattoo making demonstrations, cooking demonstrations and selling Sarawak handicrafts before returning to Sarawak on May 4. — DayakDaily
