Consider award honouring Iban artisans, experts in oral tradition, symposium and expo organisers tell S’wak govt

KUCHING (July 20): Participants of the recent Iban Cultural Heritage Symposium and Expo 2024 have urged the Sarawak government to consider an award honouring the dedication and skill of artisans and experts in oral tradition.

“This award is also to encourage the next generation to sustain oral tradition practices and/or excel in artisanal crafts,” said a statement from the organisers today.

It explained this resolution was among eight which were adopted at the symposium and expo aimed at addressing key challenges in sustaining and preserving Iban culture and heritage.

It said these resolutions summarise the key conclusions, recommendations or actions decided upon during the symposium, and are aimed at guiding future actions, policies, or research related to Iban culture and heritage.

The symposium and expo held on June 24 and 25 at Dayak Cultural Foundation was declared open by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The first resolution was the establishment of Iban Cultural Heritage Centre, which Abang Johari in his opening speech had approved for two forts in Sarawak to be used for the purpose.

The two forts are Fort Sylvia in Kapit and Fort Lily in Betong.

With the establishment of the two centres, the other related resolutions are concretised which include to create detailed documentation and digital archives of cultural heritage, and to increase public awareness and education on the importance of cultural heritage.

They also resolved that future crafts persons and ritual experts are to be trained similar to the Unesco Living Treasures System, and training and courses to be provided for artisans on how to sustain their knowledge and skills, how to improve and market their products

The symposium also adopted a resolution to ensure the authenticity and historical integrity of the Pua Kumbu designs.

This is to be done through partnership among traditional weavers, cultural historians, and digital archivists to document and verify Pua Kumbu designs.

They also resolved a comprehensive digital archive to be built featuring high-resolution images, detailed descriptions, and historical contexts of Pua Kumbu motifs for future reference.

Educational programs and workshops are also to be initiated to emphasise the importance of preserving traditional design elements while fostering authentic innovation.

“To ensure high quality products, it is essential to provide training and courses for artisans to promote, develop, innovate and commercialize native and contemporary ethnic products.

“They should be labelled as Iban products for example Pua Kumbu, Kain Kebat, Baju Kebat, Sirat and Selampai,” it added.

The statement said the resolutions were handed over to Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also Deputy Premier of Sarawak on July 17.

They were handed over by symposium and expo organising chairman, Professor Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat, with the presence of DCF managing trustee Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leonard Linggi Jugah.