Sarawak charms Charles and Camilla
KUCHING: Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife Camilla were impressed by efforts to preserve Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage.
Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) Jane Lian Labang said the royal couple was interested in the conservation of culture and heritage at the award-winning living museum.
“The Prince of Wales was very impressed that we’ve trained over 10,000 students in preserving cultural heritage.
“He said it is great that we are doing this and that young people here are still proud of their culture,” she told reporters.
The royal couple was given a traditional welcome by SCV performers and SK Santubong pupils upon arrival.
They visited an Iban longhouse, a Melanau tall house and a Penan hut, where Charles tried his hand at shooting a blowpipe.
The Prince also spoke with Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and Melanau community leaders while Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, browsed a craft exhibition featuring items made by SCV women artisans.
Jane said Camilla selected two bead necklaces and a purse woven from pandan leaves from the crafts on display.
“She said our women artisans were very talented and was pleased to see that traditional craftwork is still alive,” Jane said.
Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik said community leaders spoke about culture, language and land issues with Charles.
“We are working to preserve Bidayuh cultural heritage but we need to move faster.
“He told us that he is also involved in con- servation work, and lamented that people often only realise the need to preserve something, be it culture or flora and fauna, only when it is almost extinct,” he said.
DBNA deputy president Charlie Unggang added that the cordial and down-to-earth Charles displayed great curiosity about Sarawak’s indigenous people.
Besides SCV, Prince Charles also visited the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre and Sarawak Biodiversity Centre, while Camilla met representatives of women’s empowerment group Purple Lily at the Old Courthouse.
The visit to Sarawak is part of the royal couple’s seven-day visit to Malaysia.