80 attend SIDS Marudi ngajat workshop

MARUDI: Some 80 members attended Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Marudi’s second ngajat workshop.

The workshop at the Baram Civic Centre yesterday was officiated by Marudi administrative officer Reagan Edwin on behalf of Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil.

In his speech read by Reagan, Penguang said more workshops should be held on gendang pampat and berpantun in Iban.

“These traditions should be maintained always and should be taught to the younger generation of the Iban community,” he said.

He also called for kuntau lessons to be held.

Penguang also approved RM10,000 for SIDS Marudi to run its activities.

SIDS Marudi chairperson Yanti Nyanggau said the Iban community should always teach ngajat to the next generation.

“Though it is very hard to learn but we have to move forward,” she said.

The workshop was run by ngajat trainer Bexter Ongie.

(Second row from ninth left) Reagan and Yanti in a group photo with organisers and participants.