SRI AMAN: Raban Serakup Ngasi Sarawak of Kuching emerged champion at the 5th Gendang Pampat Competition held at SR Melugu near here on Friday.
Six teams took part in the competition which was declared open by Bukit Begunan Assemblyman, Datuk Mong Dagang.
As champion, the team from Kuching took home RM700 and a trophy.
In second place was Raban Bujang Bungas Tau Bebiau Landik Ngalit Ke Nyawa Gendang from Melugu which received RM600 and a trophy.
Raban Kelab Kebudayaan JKKK RH Rebi was in third place and brought home RM500.
In his speech Mong said to ensure that ‘gendang pampat’ (small long drum) is not extinct in future the government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is urged to promote and popularise the Iban traditional musical instrument.
According to Mong, ‘gendang pampat’ needed to be promoted and popularise to the people in the state, especially the younger generation as many do not know it exists.
“The playing of ‘gendang pampat’ has yet to be mastered by the younger generation of the Iban community because effort and initiative to expose to them have not been undertaken yet.
“I fear that if no serious effort is taken to preserve and promote this traditional musical instrument by the government it may become extinct in future. I also do not want only the senior citizens to know how to play the musical instrument,” he said.
Mong also urged schools and community leaders cooperate to popularise the traditional musical instrument by holding classes for Iban youths to learn to play the ‘gendang pampat’.
He also lauded the management of SK Melugu for hosting apart from the ‘gendang pampat’ competition it also hosted other Iban competitions such ‘pantun’ and ‘beramban’.
Headmaster of SK Melugu, Louis Anak Aom who is also chairman of the gendang pampat competition committee also expressed his happiness with the response to the event.
“This competition has indirectly brought closer rapport between the surrounding communities and our school,” he said.
