BELAGA: Efforts need to be intensified to preserve the cultural heritage of the Sekapan ethnic group to prevent it from being lost due to the era of modernisation.
Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said the Sekapan people are a unique minority ethnic group in Sarawak, rich in cultural heritage, arts, and have an impressive way of life.
“However, many people are unaware of the existence of the Sekapan ethnic group, including the Sarawak community itself,” he said.
In this regard, he welcomed the organisation of the ‘Program Kenali Warisan Budaya Sekapan’which he sees as a strategic platform to highlight this unique cultural heritage.
“The Sekapan ethnic group is found only in Sarawak and consists of just two villages. Recent data from the Department of Statistics indicates that the Sekapan population is less than 1,000 people.
“This is something that needs to be taken seriously to prevent it from becoming extinct, like other ethnic groups that have already disappeared,” he said in his speech during the programme at Atau Lasan Peng Sirek Gun Hall (Anak Murai), Rh. Sekapan Piit on Wednesday.
He also said that such an event was very appropriate to show that the Sekapan ethnic group exists, with proof such as records, books, and photographic evidence.
Snowdan also thanked the Sarawak government, led by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for their initiative in highlighting the cultures of various ethnic groups in Sarawak.
He revealed that the Sekapan ethnic group was categorised under the Kajang ethnic group in the early 1980s, thus included in the provisions of the Federal Constitution Article 161 A (6) along with the Kejaman, Punan, Tanjong, and Kenawit ethnic groups.
“Among one of the Sekapan cultural heritages that will be given attention is Klirieng,” said Snowdan.
During the event, Snowdan allocated fund to the Rh. Sekapan Piit Women’s Bureau amounting to RM15,000 and to the Youth Bureau amounting to RM10,000.
Meanwhile, Deputy Mister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Liwan Lagang who was also present also contributed RM15,000 to the Kajang Association and RM15,000 to the Sekapan Belaga People’s Association.
