Bringing Borneo to the peninsula
Association: Commercialise Sabah, S’wak culture
Association aims to promote the culture of Sarawak and Sabah in the peninsula.
KUALA LUMPUR: More effort is needed to promote the culture of Sarawak and Sabah in the peninsula.
Sarawak Culture Association president Dr Laurence John said emphasis should be given to commercialising it outside Borneo.
“It would help to keep the culture alive and give job opportunities to those who have travelled to the peninsula for work,” he said.
He estimates that there are over 300,000 Sabahans and Sarawakians living in peninsular Malaysia.
Hope International Ministries KL’S pastor Kenawang Ujoh said the culture – whether dance, food or language – was a large part of Borneo’s attraction.
“The dances are unique to each group yet they all celebrate a shared festival,” said Kenawang during a pre-gawai and Kaamatan ceremony organised by the ministry at Saloma Bistro here on Sunday.
Kenawang who moved from Kapit, Sarawak to Kuala Lumpur 17 years ago to further his studies, hoped such activities would reduce Sarawakians and Sabahans homesickness.
The event featured cultural performances as well as traditional food.
Cardiovascular technician Syacerelyne Suan Yun Chin, 23, said she performed the Dusun’s Sumayau dance by watching her friends and family back in her hometown of Merapok in Sabah.
“While each dance is quite unique to a group, we combine the dances from several tribes into a medley for this event,” she said.
Housewife Demi Awie, 31, said she would try to teach her children, aged five and nine, the Iban Ngajat dance whenever she had the time.
Primary school pupil Ethanneil Nelson, eight, said his father thought him the steps to the Ngajat dance last year.