Kenyah told to pass on culture, tradition to younger generation
LONG SOBENG, Baram: The Kenyah community must ensure that their culture and tradition are passed on to the younger generation.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau said it was crucial that the culture and tradition that have been practised for generations be maintained in order to ensure that they would not become extinct.
“Gawai Suen is an important platform for us, especially among the Kenyahs, to unite in the name of culture and celebrate our identity.
“The effort to maintain our culture is very important as it has been practised by our ancestors ever since and has become a symbol of the unity of the Kenyah community as one large family,” said Dennis when officiating at the Gawai Suen festival here yesterday.
Also present were acting Beluru District officer Marliney Igil, Ulu Tinjar community leader Penghulu Joseph Belulok, Long Sobeng village head Cr Jarau Braim and Ulu Tinjar Area Development Committee (UTADC) chairman Marcus Hugo.
Dennis commended UTADC for successfully organising the event which gathered a huge crowd comprising villagers from the 18 villages under the committee.
Dennis urged the Kenyah community to continue supporting each other so that their unique cultures, customs and traditions would continue to be showcased to other communities.
“This is a celebration we should be proud of and should be promoted to the general public,” he added.
Nevertheless, he expressed his worry over the phenomenon of people from the rural areas, especially among the younger generation, moving away and living far from their village to study and earn a living.
“This phenomenon makes many of our children less familiar with their own customs. Such situation should not be allowed to happen for fear of our customs and traditions will be forgotten over time.
“Therefore, we should encourage our children to engage more often in activities in their villages which will also foster greater relationship with our people both in the village and those living in the cities.
“Our rich cultural heritage should be nurtured and handed down to the younger generation,” he added.
Similar to the Gawai celebrated by the Iban community, the Gawai Suen signifies appreciation for a bountiful harvest of paddy and to pray for blessing of the sustenance earned.
The event was made merrier with visitors turning up in their traditional costumes and showcasing various cultural activities including traditional dances. The highlight was the erection of ‘belawing’, an approximately 30 foot wooden structure erected on the village field to symbolise unity and strength among the community.
Earlier, Dennis announced MRP grant of RM3, 000 to each of the 18 villages under UTADC, and another RM10, 000 to UTADC for its activities. He also announced government grant of RM3, 000 for each of the 18 villages from Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and another RM10, 000 for Long Subeng village security and development committee also from the deputy chief minister.