Rep urges Kenyahs to preserve cultures for posterity
MIRI: The Kenyah community are urged to preserve their cultures and traditions so that they can be passed on to their future generations for posterity.
According to Baram MP Anyi Ngau, the community have a beautiful and colourful culture and warned that if they were not preserved, it will be a big loss to their future generations.
“The present generation should never forget their root and must always be proud of who they are, so that they can set an example for the younger generation to follow,” he said.
Anyi said this when officiating at the 1st Adet Mamat Lepo’ Ngkau, Long Moh, Kedaya Telang Usan dinner on Friday.
He praised the organising committee for successfully organising the event which also brought together the Kenyah community not only from Lepo’ Ngkau, but also from other areas in Baram.
“This is a good start and I hope to see this Adet Mamat celebration that we have tonight, organised as an annual event,” he said.
At the dinner, Anyi announced a RM15,000 grant for the mothers’ group of Lepo’ Ngkau and another RM10,000 for the development of Kenyah traditional music, including teaching it to the younger generation.
The event which took place at Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club here featured various Kenyah cultures and traditions including ‘Medeng Belawing’, ‘Jatung Anit’, ‘Pelubit Batu Tului’, ‘Punan Baweh’ and ‘Lemalo’.
Also held was a Christmas carolling presentation to mark the advent of the festive season.
The dinner also witnessed presentation of incentives to 46 Kenyah students who scored straight As in their UPSR, PT3, SPM and STPM examinations as well as those who graduated with diplomas, bachelor degrees, masters and doctorate.
Also present at the dinner were the village chief of Lepo’ Ngkau Long Moh Davis Lalo Epoi; the event’s patron Councillor Simpson Njock Lenjau; Temenggong Joseph Ngau Lian; Penghulu Anthony Kulleh Lalo; Lio Mato village chief Peter Adam and Long Selaan village chief Peter Lalo.