‘Form association to preserve, promote Dayak art and heritage’
SIBU: The Dayak community here should form an association to preserve and promote Dayak art and heritage to the outside world.
Deputy Minister of Regional and Rural Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said the art and heritage of the Dayaks, which have existed since time immemorial, risk `extinction’ due to the fast pace of modern technology.
“The formation Sarawak Gagong Club ( KGS), for instance, is one that is unique and timely.
“Since its ( KGS) formation, the attire of the Iban warriors, or `Gagong’, has grown in popularity albeit among the Iban community only.
“It is not their aim to show off wearing `Gagong’, but the main objective is to promote Dayak traditional attire to the world in general, and especially to the youth.
“If there is no KGS, our children will probably not know what `Gagong’ is,” he said.
Alexander was speaking at the Sibu Dayak pre- Gawai celebration dinner organised by Sarawak Dayak National Union ( SDNU) Sibu, in collaboration with Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak ( SIDS) Sibu, SDNU Rajang and Orang Ulu National Association (OUNA) Sibu, on Sunday night.
The Kapit Member of Parliament, who is also SDNU deputy president, said from a social aspect, the Dayak community has been progressing tremendously in promoting their art and heritage.
“The Dayak community is now popular in the eyes of the world due to our own effort and hard work in safeguarding our values.”
During the function, Alexander announced an allocation of RM20,000 from Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and his own contribution of RM10,000 to the event organising committee.
He also presented incentives to more than 100 Dayak children who achieved excellent results in their public examinations last year.
Deputy chairman of Sibu Rural District Council Robert Lau Hui Yew, Temenggong Stanley Gramong, Temenggong Billy Panyau, and SDNU Sibu chairman Chambai Lindong were among those present.