KUCHING: Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan has encouraged cultural exchange between the indigenous groups of Bornean states, with a special focus on their unique traditions and dances.
He said the indigenous groups from Sarawak and Sabah have a rich culture and that one area where mutual understanding and appreciation could be deepened is through the exchange of ideas regarding their respective traditional dances.
“Sarawak and Sabah, we are close neighbours, but more so like brothers, and our Ministry very much welcomes the Kadazan Dusun Cultural Association (KDCA) Sarawak’s Kaamatan Festival to be held where we can see and experience the culture of Sabah.
“This (festival) is a starting point, and maybe we can combine the cultural dance of the indigenous groups of Sabah and Sarawak.
“Thus, this is what we call showcasing creativity in the indigenous dance, and given there are similarities in the dance move, I’m throwing this challenge to KDCA Sarawak to explore the possibilities of combining the traditional dances of Sarawak and Sabah,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the KDCA Sarawak’s Kaamatan 2023 Festival held at the Imperial Hotel on Sunday (Apr 30) evening.
Snowdan further said that there was nothing wrong with combining the traditional dances of the indigenous groups from Sarawak and Sabah as they could showcase something new and unique.
Regarding the festival, he said that it has the potential to not only serve as a tourist attraction but also as a valuable platform for promoting stronger ties and mutual understanding between Sarawakians and Sabahans.
“Sarawak and Sabah consist of many ethnic groups, and we must continue to preserve this unity and harmony that we have,” he said.
He also reminded the indigenous groups that no matter where they are, they must remember their roots.
Meanwhile, as a show of support for the association, Snowdan later also announced a personal donation of RM20,000 to the KDCA Sarawak.
The festival, themed ‘Kaamatan Membudayakan Perpaduan,’ is organized by KDCA Sarawak, which consists of the community of Kadazan, Dusun, Murut, and Rungus (KDMR) Sabah, who reside, work, and study in Sarawak.
Also present were Snowdan’s wife, Datin Melinda Claudia Bucking, Lubok Antu MP Roy Angau Gingkoi, Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol, Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh, KDCA Sarawak chairman James Samid, and KDCA Sabah secretary-general Datuk Suman
