KUCHING: The Sarawak state level Ngepan Iban Symposium 2022 will be held on Nov 4-5 at Pullman Hotel in Miri.
Organising chairman cum Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Penguang Manggil said that as many as 17 government agencies, Iban-based associations from Kuching, Betong, Miri and Bintulu will be joining the symposium with 25 entries for exhibition booths that will be showcasing the Iban crafts.
“I’m actually very excited with this symposium because apart from the presentation of four research papers on Iban culture and custom, craft sales, performance and traditional Iban games such as ngajat, berpantun, kuntau and berjawang will be held,” he said.
He added that Kumang and Keling Ngepan Iban Symposium 2022 Competition and Ratu Iban Ngepan Iban Symposium 2022 Competition will also be held alongside contemporary costumes and singing performance from various well known Iban artistes.
“The organising of this symposium is actually a platform to introduce, explain and to promote the Iban culture and custom, especially the Ngepan to the society,” he stressed.
He also hoped to ensure the current generation is also exposed to the Iban culture so that the culture can be preserved in the future.
“I really believe there’s a lot of Iban motifs that are now being used as part of the contemporary fashion, thus uplifting the Iban culture to a much higher level,” he said.
He will officiate at the upcoming symposium while the adjournment ceremony will be officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Unggah Embas.
