KUCHING: Women-led heritage initiatives took centre stage at the Old Courthouse here today as the ‘Dayung Warisan’ closing ceremony and showcase marked the culmination of a two-month programme dedicated to empowering women.
The initiatives encourage women to document, interpret and present Sarawak’s cultural heritage through contemporary storytelling and community engagement.
Minister of Women, Children and Community Development, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, attended the closing ceremony and later participated in a walkabout session, engaging with participants as they presented their completed heritage projects ranging from documentaries and podcasts to craft workshops, zines and interactive installations.
The Dayung Young Heritage Leaders Programme brought together 27 participants who completed 18 heritage projects under the guidance of mentors including Kelabit filmmaker and publisher, Sarah Lois Dorai; Tuyang co-founder, Juvita Tatan Wan; Benang founder, Eleanor Nandong; and Borneo Bengkel co-founder, Sonia Luhong Wan; supported by assistant mentors Steff Landong, Jasmine Dadi, Pici Pamg and Aishah Chong.
Programme director Steff Landong said the initiative was shaped by a shared journey of rediscovering identity and heritage, noting that many participants entered the programme seeking space and confidence to explore cultural narratives on their own terms.
“Dayung Warisan came from that shared uncertainty, and from a belief that women deserve the space, support, and trust to explore heritage on their own terms,” she said at the closing ceremony.
She added that despite limitations in time and resources, participants remained committed to completing their projects, resulting in works that reflected diverse communities and perspectives across Sarawak.
“These projects are not perfect, and they were never meant to be. They are honest, thoughtful, and rooted in care,” she said, emphasising that the programme was intended as a starting point rather than an endpoint for participants’ heritage journeys.
Throughout the showcase, visitors were able to experience projects that combined traditional knowledge with contemporary formats, highlighting how heritage can evolve through creative interpretation while remaining grounded in community narratives.
During the walkabout, Nancy interacted with participants and viewed the exhibition displays, acknowledging the role of women in sustaining cultural knowledge and encouraging continued collaboration in heritage initiatives.
Organisers said Dayung Warisan aims to nurture a new generation of heritage practitioners by equipping participants with research skills, creative tools and networks that enable them to continue developing community-based cultural projects beyond the programme.
The pilot programme will pave the way for selected projects to be showcased at The Spring mall from Mar 6 to 28 as part of the Seni Kita Festival, allowing wider public engagement with the participants’ work and extending the conversation on heritage into community spaces.
