KUCHING: Local insight and oral literature are pivotal to modern discourse and creative expression.
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) board member Datuk Dr. Jeniri Amir, highlighted the importance of these cultural treasures, which provide profound insights into past civilisations’ history, values, and intellectual richness.
He made these observations at the launch of the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) National Language Movement, the Unimas Higher Education Writers Club, and the 2024 National Seminar on Local Wisdom at the university here today.
“As we face the modern world, confronting various threats and the influence of social media, we must not forget our cultural history and local insight, including oral traditions that have been an essential asset for survival and entertainment in the past.
“Oral traditions and their various components — such as poetry, prose, pantun and folktales — are rich sources of wisdom in ideas, language, and stylistic techniques that contemporary writers, whether in creative or non-creative fields, can draw upon,” he said.
He also emphasised that the authenticity of oral literature is vital for future generations to preserve and cherish.
“Storytelling serves as a connection within society often involving improvisation and mortality, and creative writers can integrate this element into their works to give linguistic richness to the current generation through their writings,” he said.
Dr Jeniri also stated that local wisdom reveals an intersection of knowledge, beliefs, and practices carefully passed down through generations, which elaborates a web of understanding that is a foundation for communities, shaping their identities and guiding their interactions with the world around them.
“This wisdom evolves through the dynamic interactions between the community and its environment, as well as its customs and daily life, which reflects how individuals adapt to their surroundings, drawing from their experiences and challenges.
“Over time, this interplay shapes a collective understanding that informs practices, beliefs, and knowledge systems, creating a rich tapestry of cultural heritage passed down through generations.
“This encompasses ways of life, resource management, traditional medicine, social relationships, and the moral and ethical values that guide individual behaviour in society,” he explained.
Also present was the Director of the DBP Sarawak Branch, Abang Haliman Abang Julai.
