BETONG，19 May: Longhouse chiefs in Betong Division can play a key role in safeguarding the rich cultural heritage of the Iban community, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
He called on the associations representing the chiefs to take the lead in preserving and promoting the Iban’s ‘keresa pesaka’ (cultural inheritance), which includes traditional oral arts like ‘berbiau’, ‘beganu’, and ‘pengap’ (ritual chanting), ‘berpantun’ (poetic recitations), the ngajat dance, and the traditional martial art of kuntau.
“Efforts must be made not only to preserve but to actively promote these cultural treasures, especially among the younger generation,” Uggah said at a pre-Gawai Dayak gathering held at the Spaoh community hall on Sunday (May 18).
The event was jointly organised by the Spaoh Longhouse Chiefs Association and the Spaoh Paku Madani Community.
“With the upcoming Gawai Dayak celebration, I urge our youths to feature these elements in their performances. This will ensure our traditions are kept alive and not forgotten,” he added.
Uggah noted that such cultural expressions also hold significant potential for tourism, particularly as Betong becomes increasingly accessible via the Pan Borneo Highway and the soon-to-be-completed Bebuling Airport.
He announced that the government will soon call for tenders for the construction of a replica of legendary Iban warrior Rentap’s fort, with Phase One of the project estimated to cost RM16 million.
To support local efforts, Uggah also announced government grants amounting to RM60,000 for the Spaoh Longhouse Chiefs Association to organise cultural programmes and manage its operations.
An additional RM10,000 was awarded to the Bukit Saban Sarawak Iban Kuntau Association (SIKAR) to support its initiatives.
He called on the associations representing the chiefs to take the lead in preserving and promoting the Iban’s ‘keresa pesaka’ (cultural inheritance), which includes traditional oral arts like ‘berbiau’, ‘beganu’, and ‘pengap’ (ritual chanting), ‘berpantun’ (poetic recitations), the ngajat dance, and the traditional martial art of kuntau.
“Efforts must be made not only to preserve but to actively promote these cultural treasures, especially among the younger generation,” Uggah said at a pre-Gawai Dayak gathering held at the Spaoh community hall on Sunday (May 18).
The event was jointly organised by the Spaoh Longhouse Chiefs Association and the Spaoh Paku Madani Community.
“With the upcoming Gawai Dayak celebration, I urge our youths to feature these elements in their performances. This will ensure our traditions are kept alive and not forgotten,” he added.
Uggah noted that such cultural expressions also hold significant potential for tourism, particularly as Betong becomes increasingly accessible via the Pan Borneo Highway and the soon-to-be-completed Bebuling Airport.
He announced that the government will soon call for tenders for the construction of a replica of legendary Iban warrior Rentap’s fort, with Phase One of the project estimated to cost RM16 million.
To support local efforts, Uggah also announced government grants amounting to RM60,000 for the Spaoh Longhouse Chiefs Association to organise cultural programmes and manage its operations.
An additional RM10,000 was awarded to the Bukit Saban Sarawak Iban Kuntau Association (SIKAR) to support its initiatives.