Abd Karim: ‘Sarawak Folktales for All’ books to be distributed to schools throughout state

KUCHING (Jan 19): More than 2,000 sets of books from the first ‘Sarawak Folktales for All’ series are set to be distributed to 1,254 schools, including 223 Chinese primary schools, throughout Sarawak.

The series, targeting junior readers aged five to 10, features tales from five ethnic groups: the Ibans, the Bidayuhs, the Melanau, the Chinese and the Punans.

“Stories of cultural significance like these will enable the children to comprehend the cultural nuances as they grow.

“We will also be distributing them to 211 libraries in Sarawak, ensuring that every educational institution and library would have access to these cultural treasures,” said Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during a press conference called after the handover of the books to the ministry, at Bangunan Baitulmakmur in Petra Jaya, here today.

According to Abdul Karim, the publication of this collection of Sarawak folktales was made possible through the ‘Dana Mudahcara Warisan, Seni dan Budaya’ (Facilitation Fund for Heritage, Arts, and Culture).

“I am pleased to officially announce the allocation of an annual budget amounting to RM10 million, also endorsed by the Cabinet yesterday for our ministry, dedicated to the Dana Mudahcara Warisan, Seni dan Budaya.

“This fund is not only intended to support individuals, associations and organisations involved in arts, culture and heritage in running activities and programmes, but it will also play a pivotal role in fostering the growth of Sarawak’s creative industry as well as in performing arts,” he said.

The ‘Sarawak Folktales for All’ collection is available in three languages: English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese.

From the Iban community, there is the tale of ‘Kumang and the Ungrateful Python’, giving rise to the well-known saying of ‘Baka Kumang Nupi Sawa’ among the community.

The Bidayuh community contributes the heart-warming story, ‘The Widow and the Colourful Clothed Frog, emphasising the importance of helping one another and respecting animals.

The Malay community reveals the mystical beliefs surrounding the ‘Ikan Patin’ (Silver Catfish), while the Punan community’s tale of ‘Modi and the Magic Stone’ instils in a person a deep respect for the natural world and the value of keeping promises.

The Chinese folktale, set in Pulau Datuk Kong, reinforces the importance of respect for all living beings.

In this regard, Abdul Karim remarked: “In our commitment to heritage preservation, we are pleased to announce that Pulau Datuk Kong is in the process of being gazetted as a heritage site under the Sarawak Heritage Ordinance 2019.

“This island, nestled in the middle of Batang Kemena, will be protected and promoted as a heritage tourism destination.”

Furthermore, Abdul Karim announced that continuing efforts in safeguarding Sarawak’s heritage, his ministry was committed to publishing the folktales representing 34 different ethnic groups in Sarawak.

“We are also working closely with Majlis Adat Istiadat (Native Customs Council) and Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) in the preservation of heritage through publication and research.

“These incredible folktales are not meant to be confined to printed formats. In our pursuit of promoting the creative Industry, we also aspire to transform these stories into performing arts and animations.

“Additionally, we envision some of these folktales being adapted into computer games, bridging tradition with modern forms of storytelling,” he added.

On the book series, Abdul Karim hoped that more short stories from the various ethnic communities would be written and published in the future.

“Today, we have five (books in the first compilation series), and I hope to see many more coming up.

“We definitely will be supporting those who are able to come up with more,” said the minister, who also oversees the development of youth, sports and entrepreneurship sectors in the state.

On a related matter, Abdul Karim said upon the full development of the Sarawak Centre of Performing Arts, it would serve as a platform to showcase the cultural treasures of the various communities in the state, and also foster a thriving and vibrant cultural ecosystem.