Ennie (seated, second right) and other ministry officers in a group photo with participants of the Sarawak Traditional Dance basic course.
MIRI: Twenty-one students recently completed the basic course on Sarawak traditional dance here conducted by Sarawak Arts Council (SAC) of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports, which ran from July to November this year.
Speaking to participants at the closing ceremony, Miri Youth and Sports authority officer Ennie Lukong said the ministry had always encouraged such arts and cultural initiatives, particularly dance development, in Sarawak.
“It is our aim to inculcate (awareness in) and enhance the involvement of the community of various arts and cultural activities, especially in traditional dancing.
“Conservation and preservation of Sarawak’s cultural heritage should be championed,” he said.
Ennie hopes that the updated modules – namely the basics in Bidayuh, Melanau, Orang Ulu, Iban and Malay dancing – would improve the teaching and training of participants, as well as arouse interest in youths to get in-depth understanding of traditional culture and dance.
Participants who complied with the instructions and conditions set, passed the theory and practical tests at the end of their course study, and received their certificates.