BARIO, Aug 9, 2015
- Communities living in the Kelabit and
Maligan highlands in Sarawak and Sabah have something to be proud of – a book documenting
their rich cultural heritage and folklores is finally published.
Entitled, Highland Tales in the Heart of Borneo, the
92-page book is a colourful showcase of the community’s past, present and
future that are very much intertwined with their natural surroundings in the
picturesque highlands of Ba’ Kelalan, Bario, Long Semadoh in Sarawak and Long
Pa’ Sia, Sabah.
Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem (left)
and wife Puan Sri Jamilah Anu (third right) posing for a group photo
with FORMADAT patron Datuk Isaac Lugun, FORMADAT leaders and representatives
from Forest Department Sarawak and WWF-Malaysia after the launching of Highland
Tales in the Heart of Borneo book.
The book, in English and Bahasa Malaysia, is published by
the highland’s grassroots and transboundary alliance, Forum Masyarakat Adat
Dataran Tinggi (FORMADAT) and supported by Sarawak Forest Department, Ministry
of Tourism Sarawak, Sarawak Museum Department and WWF-Malaysia.
FORMADAT Malaysia leader Penghulu George Sigar Sultan
said the highlands of Sarawak and Sabah are homes to Orang Ulu comprising the
Kelabit, Lun Bawang and Lundayeh in the northeastern of Heart of Borneo.
“Each community has its own distinct dialects and
cultural nuances yet rooted at the core with parallel mythology and oral
history. We are the guardians of a rich array of tribal stories and legends,”
he said.
He explained that the book documents the stories of old
and showcases some of the most distinctive sites and stories known to these
communities in Sarawak and Sabah.
“This publication will serve as promotional material for
ecotourism at natural and cultural sites of the Kelabit and Maligan highlands,
a reference for nature guides to use and share with visitors and tourists, and
a way to document the history of the Kelabit, Lun Bawang and Lundayeh people in
the Heart of Borneo,” he said.
The book was launched by Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan
Satem’s wife Puan Sri Jamilah Anu during a Bario Food and Cultural
Festival on July 30.
George added that the book also meets the objectives of
FORMADAT, which is to raise understanding about the communities in the
highlands, maintain cultural traditions, build local capacity and encourage
sustainable development in the Heart of Borneo without degrading the quality of
social and natural environment.
George thanked all supporters for their assistance in
making the book a reality and promoting it to their stakeholders.
“I would also like to thank village elders and villagers
who shared their knowledge of cultural and heritage sites and folklores, and
WWF-Malaysia senior community engagement and education officer Alicia Ng for
helping to document these stories and facilitating in publishing the book,” he
said.
Congratulating FORMADAT for another milestone
achievement, WWF-Malaysia chief executive officer Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma
said the organisation is privileged to work with FORMADAT since 2004.
“I am very happy to see that our long-term relationship
with FORMADAT is starting to show results as demonstrated by sustainable income
generation through activities in the highlands and more locals championing the
cause for conservation,” he said.
He added that the book would contribute to current
knowledge on how people can indeed live in harmony with nature.
The books are sold at RM40 for softcover and RM55 for
hardcover are available at WWF-Malaysia Kuching Office, 7th floor Bangunan
Binamas, Padungan Road, Kuching.
It is also available from FORMADAT committee members in
Ba’ Kelalan, Bario, Long Semadoh and Long Pa’ Sia’. All proceeds from the sale
of this book will go to FORMADAT.
No comments:
Post a Comment