BINTULU: Efforts must continue to enhance knowledge and understanding of the Iban Ngepan to ensure the cultural heritage of the Iban community is preserved and passed down accurately to future generations.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said efforts to preserve cultural heritage should not focus solely on wearing traditional attire, but must also include an understanding of the names, functions and significance of each component that forms the identity of the Ngepan Iban.
He said there are still individuals who were able to wear Ngepan properly but were unable to identify the names and functions of the ornaments worn during assessment sessions.
“We should not only know how to wear the Ngepan, but also understand the names and functions of each ornament used. This knowledge will ensure that our cultural heritage continues to be preserved and not lost over time,” he said in his speech at a dinner held in conjunction with the Keling and Kumang Raban Ngepan Iban (RNI) 2026 grand final held here on Saturday (July 18).
Snowdan said the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu communities must continue strengthening their knowledge of their traditional attire as every component carries its own history, philosophy and cultural values that need to be understood and passed on to the younger generation.
He added that continuous transfer of cultural knowledge was crucial to ensure the heritage remains authentic and does not merely become a decorative element or a symbol of traditional dressing.
Meanwhile, RNI president Steven Abas Patrick Agus said the Keling and Kumang RNI competition was not merely about selecting traditional attire icons, but also served as a platform to strengthen public understanding of customs, culture and the heritage of the Ngepan Iban.
He said throughout its decade-long journey since its establishment in 2016, RNI had introduced various initiatives, including cultural workshops and Ngepan-wearing training, to ensure participants understood the cultural significance before taking part in the competition.
At the competition, Wellingson Kulling was crowned Keling RNI 2026, while Arabella Sunta emerged as Kumang RNI 2026.
Other winners announced were Luciano Deckers (Laja), Petrus Eddy (Bungai Nuing), Sharon Maxeca (Lulong) and Maria Makdalena (Selinggar Matahari).
