By Amanda L
KUCHING, Oct 13: Bidayuh oral histories, traditional customs and ancestral knowledge risk being forgotten unless they are systematically documented and preserved, says Tebedu assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada.
He called for the Sarawak State Library to expand its efforts to document indigenous heritage and develop a comprehensive digital archive covering the histories, traditions and experiences of communities across the State.
Speaking during the debate on the Sarawak State Library (Amendment) Bill 2026 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUS) today, Dr Simon said much of the history of rural communities, particularly the Bidayuh, had been passed down orally from one generation to the next.
These include stories of village origins, migration, traditional leadership, marriage customs, agricultural practices and traditional architecture, much of which remains dependent on the recollections of older generations.
“When previous generations pass away, some of this knowledge risks disappearing with them,” he said.
He proposed that the State Library collaborate with cultural associations, educational institutions, community leaders and local communities to collect and document historical materials systematically.
For the Bidayuh community, he suggested exploring cooperation with the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) to preserve historical accounts, languages, customs and cultural heritage.
He said the initiative could also document the history of villages in his Tebedu constituency, including their development, infrastructure, education, agriculture and changing livelihoods.
He also called for historical documents, photographs, audio recordings, manuscripts and research materials to be preserved through digitalisation, allowing students, researchers and the wider public to access them, subject to appropriate access rights.
He stressed that the development of a digital archive must take into account data security, the preservation of original documents, customary sensitivities and communities’ rights over their heritage materials.
The Tebedu assemblyman said preserving history was an important part of Sarawak’s development, alongside infrastructure and economic progress, as it would help younger generations understand their origins and appreciate their cultural identity.
“Heritage that is not recorded may be forgotten. History that is not preserved may be lost,” he said. —DayakDaily
