KUCHING: Academicians and researchers should explore the possibility of reviving shamanism and document the original ways practised by elders in order to preserve the traditional knowledge of healing from dying out.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah said his ministry is keen to hear researchers and academicians take on the issue of globalisation versus protection of ICH (intangible cultural heritage) on shamanism and how best to strike a balance.
“It is hoped that researchers and academicians will help us fast-track the documentation of our ancestral and traditional practices with their scholastic guidance, presentations and intellectual discourses.
“For new researchers in this field, please also include the local and indigenous communities in the documentation process”, he said at the country’s first ever International Society for Academic Research on Shamanism (ISARS) conference on shamanism themed ‘Shamanism and Crisis: Seeking Human Identity’, at the Borneo Cultures Museum here, on Thursday (Aug 25).
He said the four-day conference from Aug 25-28 is timely as shamanism activities is still actively practised by the various ethnic groups in Sarawak.
“I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm Sarawak’s commitment to ISARS via this joint-venture conference and also to further strengthen the cooperation that has existed between Malaysia and cultural heritage experts all over the world,” he said.
Shamanism is an ancient healing tradition and an ancient spiritual practices by indigenous cultures worldwide. Medicine men, natural healers and those connected to spirits and power have historical documentation back from the last 20,000 to 30,000 years.
It is a cross-cultural spiritual path practised throughout the world.
The conference is aimed at increasing community awareness, especially on the legal impact of preserving the traditional knowledge and intangible cultural heritage of Sarawak on traditional arts of healing from dying out due to social and religious changes.
Earlier, Karim said the Niah National Park has been put up for nomination as Sarawak’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site under the mixed category for natural and cultural heritage.
The state’s first World Heritage Site is the Mulu National Park.
Meanwhile, the ISARS conference has presented 27 papers on its first day from at least 15 multinational shamanism exhibitors and practitioners. A total of 143 registered participants are attending the conference.
Present at the opening were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan, International Society for Academic Research on Shamanism (ISARS) president Associate Professor Dr. Diana Riboli, and Sarawak Museum Department director Tazudin Mohtar.
