Asadia committed to preserving Dayak cultural heritage — Mabong

KUCHING: Sarawak Dayak Iban Association Academy (Asadia) is committed to preserving the cultural heritage of the Dayaks in the state.

Head of Asadia Mabong Unggang said since its establishment in March 2014, it had been conducting a lot of activities such as the ‘ Ngajat Iban’ class, which has now entered its eighth series.

“I’m overwhelmed by the support given by the Dayak community – regardless of their ethnicity – towards Asadia programmes over the years.

“We are not going to stop here, Asadia will continue efforts to preserve the Dayak heritage,” he said during the 4th Asadia Graduation dinner held at Christian Ecumenical Centre here, last Sunday.

He revealed that Asadia had put forward a request to the state government for an area to establish its centre for conducting its academic courses and other activities.

Asadia is currently using Sadia headquarters in Kota Sentosa for its cultural classes which could not cope with the increasing number of students.

During the event, Mabong took the opportunity to introduce the newly registered association called the Sarawak Iban Kuntau Association ( Sikar) led by Churchill Edward.

Meanwhile, Sadia president Sidi Munan hoped that students who have graduated would utilise their knowledge and skills wisely.

He cited as an example, ‘ Kuntau’, a martial art of the Iban community, in which those who practise the art refrain from being boastful and using it for wrongdoing or personal glory.

“This is an art of self- defence to protect people around you; as such, those who master it are called to be peacemakers during a conflict.”