KUCHING: The Sarawak government has been urged to also submit state’s traditional heritage pua kumbu under the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) category of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) next year alongside the Sarawak songket.
Tun Jugah Foundation chairman and Dayak Cultural Foundation managing trustee Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leonard Linggi Jugah made the suggestion after noting the state government’s efforts to promote the state songket internationally.
“One of the avenues is to bring it (songket) to Paris and get it listed next year under the ICH category of Unesco.
“This was revealed by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the inaugural Sarawak Music Fashion Galore (Samfag) organised by Malaysian Association of Arts and Culture Activists Kuching (Macpa) at Riverside Majestic Hotel last Saturday night (Dec 5).
“In response to the above statement, I congratulate the chief minister for highlighting the significance of our Sarawak songket cultural heritage.
“In this respect, I sincerely hope that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture will also submit pua kumbu to Unesco under the ICH category.
“Pua kumbu is internationally acknowledged as a unique cultural heritage not only of the Ibans but also of Sarawak,” he said in a statement on Monday (Dec 7).
The chief minister commended Macpa’s efforts and pledged the state government’s support for similar non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which were improving the quality of various craft products in the state.
