KUCHING: The launching of the documentary on Iban’s Gawai Antu celebration is a significant milestone, especially to the Iban community in Sarawak.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang said that the Iban community believed that it was crucial and relevant to maintain harmonious socio-cultural and spiritual ties with their ancestors.
“Otherwise we will not be able to trace our ancestral roots and will lose all the important linkage to trace our civilisation,” he said.
“At the same time, he said it was also important to always nurture harmonious coexistence with our fellow human beings.”
Jabu was saying this during the launch of the Gawai Antu documentary which was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM) here today.
He added the Iban community has high respect for harmony and co-operation and for peaceful mutual co-existence with fellow Sarawakians while at the same time as conveyed within many stories or episodes of oral tradition has always described their harmony with nature.
“I have always enjoyed and cherished the many pleasantries of good comradeship and admirable strong cohesion of mutual respect and tolerance amongst our multiracial and multi religious communities in Sarawak which receive high praise and admiration from visitors from overseas,” he said.
With Abang Johari officiating at the launch of the documentary, he said, it symbolised the very genuine appreciation from Sarawak Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government of the socio-cultural contribution of each community.
“This also shows the open mindedness and respect from our Premier, who is always caring for the people,” he said.
