SIBU: The programmes for the Borneo Dayak Cultural Festival (BDCF) at the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF), which is scheduled from June 28 till July 4, will be organised with a difference.
Organising committee chairman of BDCF 2013, Councillor Sempurai Petrus Ngelai said the new committee would focus on Dayak youths by exposing them to their own culture.
“Thus, we will work together with Dayak non-governmental organisations (NGO) such as Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) branches of Sibu, Rajang, Sibu Jaya, Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Sibu, Orang Ulu National Association (OUNA) Sibu, Bidayuh Dayak National Association (DBNA) Sibu and Sarawak Dayak Youth Organisation (Pebedas) to ensure the success of our programmes and activities.
“Our main objective is to attract Dayak youths to work together with us because to perpetuate the cultural property is of paramount importance so that it could be inherited by our future generations,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
Also present were chairperson of SIDS Sibu, Alice Jawan, chairman of SDNU Rajang, Major Moses Ripai and other BDCF committee members.
Sempurai said by having new faces in the committee especially from Pebedas, it would able to achieve the objective and aim of BDCFto create awareness among the youths to know more about the Dayak culture.
“This is because this BCF aims to showcase the diverse culture of Borneo to outsiders regarding the uniqueness of our culture, particularly the Dayak’s. Culture is of great importance to us during this BDCF this time by attracting the youths,” he stated.
According to him, this BDCF would be made merrier with various cultural presentations, performances by local artistes, and Kumang and Keling competitions.
Apart from that, he said Pebedas would hold its gallery and exhibition at SibuTown Square Phase II starting June 28.
It would put up exhibition booths to display various historic photos, demonstration of weaving of ‘pua kumbu, tatoo, sape and traditional musical instruments such as ‘Taboh’, Sape and other historic artefacts from the Dayak community for public viewing.
“Pebedas will also set up education corner at its booth to provide information on the range of education opportunities for the Dayak youths to further their studies in higher institution of learning at state and national levels,” he said.
Sempurai added that the official opening of the BDCF is expected to be done by the Minister of Land Development, Tan Sri Dr James Masing on June 29, while the closing ceremony by the Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu on July 4.