Asadia students perform a traditional Iban dance during the academy’s graduation dinner.
KUCHING: The Sarawak Dayak Iban Association Academy (Asadia) is expected to host its inaugural ‘Dayak Cultural Carnival’ in 2018 to showcase the cultural heritage of the community, as well as to promote unity and encourage the younger generation to appreciate and uphold their heritage.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas highlighted this during the fourth Asadia graduation dinner at the Christian Ecumenical Centre here on Sunday.
According to him, the proposed carnival would also showcase tourism products from various Dayak associations.
“One of the objectives of the Dayak Cultural Foundation (DCF) – of which I am the chairman – is to develop and preserve the cultural heritage of the Dayaks. For that reason, DCF will coordinate all activities and programmes run by the associations towards enhancing and developing the value and quality of our culture through the setup of standards to avoid its misrepresentation by certain quarters,” he said.
Uggah, who is also Modernisation of Agriculture and Rural Economy Minister, also pointed that such an event could encourage more young Dayak entrepreneurs to come in, manage and promote the cultural products of their folk.
“I can assure you (Dayak associations) that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem will support your programmes,” he said.
Uggah also advised all Dayak associations to come together, instead of quarrelling incessantly with one another.
“The more (people) you have, the better – ‘more’ means that you can cover wider areas and coordinate better with DCF in terms of activities.
“I appeal to all of you to play your part in contributing opinions. Engage with us (DCF) to ensure that our community would not be left behind in all aspects.”
Uggah later announced an allocation of RM30,000 for Asadia to fund its programmes slated for training more young Dayaks to preserve and uphold their heritage.
At the same time, Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang who is also Padawan Municipal Council chairman pledged a grant worth RM10,000 to Asadia.
The dinner also hosted Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, First Malaysian Infantry Division Commander Major General Datuk Stephen Mundaw, Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) president Sidi Munan and Asadia chief Mabong Unggang.