KUCHING: Petroliam Nasional Bhd (PETRONAS) has unveiled a short film titled ‘Pesan Inik’ in conjunction with the upcoming Gawai Dayak celebration.
The title, which means ‘grandmother’s advice, encapsulates the essence of Gawai through the lens of a grandmother’s timeless wisdom, embodied in her five pearls of guidance.
These pearls, symbolic of the Iban’s Adat and moral values, serve as a beacon for the younger generation, encouraging them to uphold their heritage in the face of modernity.
Petronas Senior General Manager of Group Strategic Relations and Communications Siti Azlina Abdul Latif said the film is a tribute to the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Iban people.
“What makes ‘Pesan Inik’ truly special is its innovative approach to blending modernity with tradition. This remarkable cinematic endeavour is not just a film; it is a celebration of culture, tradition, and the enduring spirit of the Iban community.
“The film intricately weaves in elements of tradition such as enchanting Iban folk poetry known as ‘Leka Main’ and showcases endangered cultural treasures such as the traditional Iban music instrument, the Belikan, and the traditional game of Batak Lampung,” she said during the media preview held at Cove 55, Santubong here last night (May 24).
Meanwhile, the film’s director Faizul Jais revealed that besides conveying its central message, the film aims to spread Sarawak’s culture to a broader audience in Malaysia.
“A lot of people in West Malaysia are still not familiar with the Gawai Dayak celebration.
“With this film, we take the audience on a journey right from the start, from the kitchen, showing how food is prepared, to the joyous interactions between family members and guests.
“We aim to showcase the unity and joyous atmosphere of Gawai Dayak, highlighting not just the food, culture, and traditions, but also this profound sense of community.
“We’re incredibly proud to tell these stories, especially because many of us (film staff) are not originally from Sarawak,” he said.
Also present during the media preview were Deputy Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment Datuk Malcolm Mussen Lamoh.
The four-minute-six-second-long film can be viewed in Petronas’s official Youtube and Facebook pages.
