BELURAN: Deputy Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Joseph Salang has described the holding of the Taggungu Festival as an effective approach to promote the cultural heritage of the Paitan area and to attract domestic and foreign tourists.
“I believe there are traditional music and arts in this district which still remain unexposed to the outside world.
“The organising of this festival can be viewed as a platform for the Sungai Labuk tribes to promote their cultural heritage.
“By re-introducing traditional music and dances, it will help to revive our cultural heritage thereby enriching the country’s traditional culture,” Salang said when officiating the festival here yesterday.
More than 2,000 local people attended the event, including Beluran member of parliament Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Kuamut assemblyman Masiung Banah and Sugut assemblyman Datuk Surady Kayong.
Meanwhile, Salang expressed hope that heritage arts, such as carving and weaving, could be included in the festival next year since the area has the experts not only in traditional music and dance but also in the field of sculpture, weaving and other crafts.
“This is not only meant to revive the cultural heritage, but also to establish an economic base for the community,” he said, adding that tourists, especially from abroad, are interested in the purchase of traditional products.
Salang also said the ability of the Sungai Labuk tribes to produce traditional musical instruments of superior quality and of unique designs should be fully tapped and later to be marketed using innovative means.