Club to use artificial feathers, animal parts for vest, war hat

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File photo of KGS members at the SejiwaSenada programme in Kapit last April. Jabang is fifth from left.

File photo of KGS members at the SejiwaSenada programme in Kapit last April. Jabang is fifth from left.

KAPIT: Kelab Gagung Sibu Sarawak (KGS) is heeding the advice of Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing to use artificial feathers for their ‘gagung’ (sleeveless vest) and ‘lelanjang’ (a plume of long-tail feathers worn on a war hat).

Its chairman Jabang Juntan said the club was sourcing for artificial alternatives to the feathers of hornbills, a protected species.

“We are on the lookout for firms or individuals, locally or abroad, who can help us get both artificial feathers and animal parts such as hornbill crest, wild boar tusks and animal teeth,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

Masing said he was told China could make artificial feathers from silk.

Meanwhile, Jabang said KGS had written to the relevant authority for custodial permit and exemption to use existing animal feathers and parts for their ‘gagung’ and ‘lelanjang’,

but had not received any response.

On the seventh-month-old KGS, he said it had been active at public and private functions, including paying courtesy call on Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Masing.

The club would be participating at the Borneo Cultural Festival parade in Sibu on July 23 and at the Mardi Gra at Pesta Kanowit in October this year.

“It is our aim to promote Iban culture at the national and international arena. We are also willing to take part in activities that could help promote tourism in the state and country.”