Ting (right) performs the eye dotting on one of the school’s ‘lions’ while others look on.
MIRI: The people of diverse races and religions in Sarawak are urged to continue the concept of open house which has been practised in the state during every festive season.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Sebastian Ting said it has been a tradition among Sarawakians to share the joy of celebration with people of other communities through open house.
“There are so many ethnic groups in Sarawak. With more than 27 ethnic groups, the people regardless of race, religion and culture are able to live together in peace and harmony.
“Therefore, there is no issue of culture, religion and custom practised by the people here. This is the way of living that we must practise to move forward,” he stated to the media after officiating at SMK Chung Hua Miri’s Lion Dance Troupe Eye Dotting Ceremony at the school yesterday.
He said he was happy that his ministry was looking to propose the open house concept practiced by Sarawak’s multi-racial community for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Culture Organisation (Unesco) listing under cultural heritage.
“The open house during festive seasons is a very good culture practised by the people in Sarawak. We should consider to propose this beautiful open house concept into Unesco’s listing under cultural heritage.”
On the event, he said eye dotting is a yearly ceremony to give blessing to the school’s lion dance troupe.
“Lion dance is one of the Chinese proud identities which must be preserved and upheld. Thus, we must share the beauty of the lion dance arts to others so they would be able to understand more about the Chinese ancient cultures.”
Later, the school celebrated the retirement of its teacher Edwin Larkin and surprised Ting with an early birthday celebration.
Also present were the school’s board of directors vice chairman Chai Min Kian, the school’s parent-teacher association deputy chairman Dr Jack Wong and school principal Albert Ong Ngee Hong.