KAPIT: The Bagatan community’s rich traditions and cultural heritage were showcased yesterday (Feb 28) at Rumah Philip, Nanga Merit here through a programme promoting history, crafts, and local entrepreneurship.
The programme, officiated by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan, is organised by the Sarawak Entrepreneurs Association in collaboration with the local community.
It aims to preserve the unique customs, language, oral history, and intangible heritage of the Bagatan, one of Sarawak’s 34 ethnic groups with fewer than 10,000 members. Traditionally, the community is based in 18 longhouses across Rajang, Anap (Bintulu), and Penyarai (Tatau).
“We cannot allow our identity and cultural roots to be eroded. Culture defines a nation, while customs symbolise the dignity and history of a community,” Snowdan said in highlighting the programme’s significance.
He added that Sarawak’s diversity is a strength, and initiatives like this help younger generations understand their origins while appreciating the values embedded in ancestral traditions.
Beyond cultural preservation, the programme doubles as a platform for creative industries and heritage-based entrepreneurship.
“Traditional crafts, artistic performances, and creative innovations rooted in local identity can generate real economic opportunities for communities, especially for youth and women,” said Snowdan.
He urged closer collaboration between government agencies, associations, community leaders, and entrepreneurs to elevate Sarawak’s heritage onto state, national, and international stages.
The programme features demonstrations of traditional crafts, decorative arts, and local innovations that showcase the Bagatan community’s potential as an economic resource.
