Symposium concludes with resolutions for preserving Iban culture and heritage

KUCHING: The Iban Cultural Heritage Symposium and Expo 2024, held from June 24 to 25 at the Dayak Cultural Foundation, has concluded with a series of resolutions aimed at addressing key challenges in sustaining and preserving Iban culture and heritage.

The resolutions, summarising the key conclusions and recommendations, were handed over to Deputy Premier and Dayak Cultural Foundation chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas by organising chairman Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat on Wednesday (July 17).

Also present was Dayak Cultural Foundation managing trustee Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leonard Linggi Jugah.

The symposium saw the adoption of eight significant resolutions, starting with the establishment of the Iban Cultural Heritage Centre.

In his opening speech, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg approved the use of two forts in Sarawak—Fort Sylvia in Kapit and Fort Lily in Betong—as Iban Cultural Heritage Centres.

“With the establishment of the two centres the other related resolutions are expected to be concretised.

“They are: to create detailed documentation and digital archives of cultural heritage; to increase public awareness and education on the importance of cultural heritage; to train future crafts persons and ritual experts, similar to the Unesco ‘Living Treasures System’; to provide training and courses for artisans on how to sustain their knowledge and skills and how to improve and market their products,” it said in a statement.

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

This will be achieved through partnerships among traditional weavers, cultural historians, and digital archivists to document and verify Pua Kumbu designs.

A comprehensive digital archive featuring high-resolution images, detailed descriptions, and historical contexts of Pua Kumbu motifs will be built for future reference.

Educational programmes and workshops will also 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.

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

The symposium also adopted a resolution urging the Sarawak government to consider an award honouring the dedication and skill of artisans and experts in oral tradition.

This award aims to encourage the next generation to sustain oral tradition practices and excel in artisanal crafts.