KAPIT: Efforts to preserve the Iban traditional music, taboh, and traditional dance, ngajat, must continue, said Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu.
The Deputy Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Minister said the preservation efforts should be concentrated especially among the younger generation.
“Hence, I am glad to see that the original tradition from the longhouse is practised and maintained at Rumah Jawa Sugai Amang here,” he said.
He was speaking during one of his visits as part of the Kapit Division Sarawak Kembara Merdeka Convoy and Sarawak 60th Digital Exhibition here recently.
Rentap, who is the Layar assemblyman, was impressed by the display of the pua kumbu (traditional patterned multicoloured Iban ceremonial cotton cloth) at the longhouse and praised the residents’ efforts to preserve the traditional cloth.
Meanwhile, Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang urged the younger generation to actively contribute to the preservation of peace and harmony in the country.
“The younger generation should maintain the prevailing peace among the different races by upholding the themes of ‘Sarawak Makmur Maju’ and ‘Malaysia Madani’,” he said.
Rentap later announced an allocation of RM10,000 to the longhouse’s women’s bureau.
Earlier, the guests were given a taboh and ngajat cultural performance welcome, followed by a ‘miring’ ceremony.
