MIRI: Sarawak features so many ethnic groups — 27 to be exact — that oftentimes the minor groups are somewhat overshadowed.
However, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah hopes to shift some of the limelight from the majority groups to the minor ones.
“Actually, I have given the directive to our Sarawak Arts Council to look into all these other different ethnicities,” he revealed, adding that most of these minor groups are from Northern Sarawak.
He said this during his speech at the International Conference on Archaeology welcoming dinner at Pullman Miri Waterfront here on Thursday.
“We do have difficulties in trying to promote each and every one of them. The larger groups such as the Orang Ulu, Iban, Bidayuh and Malay are the ones that are always showcased.
“We are slowly trying to bring up the smaller groups,” he stated.
Abdul Karim remarked that he loved to see more of the minor ethnicities such as the Lun Bawang, Kedayan and Jati Miriek.
He marvelled to the audience about the unique outfits and musical pipe of the Lun Bawang tribe which he felt are very exotic.
He also highlighted the religious tolerance of the Sarawak people which are comprised of different religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.
Various native dances were performed during the welcoming dinner, giving delegates and participants a taste of the melting pot of cultures that makes up Sarawak.
Also present were Malaysia Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry deputy secretary-general Saraya Arbi; Department of National Heritage commissioner of heritage Mesran Mohd Yusop; Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture Assistant Minister Datuk Sebastian Ting; Sarawak Tourism, Arts and Culture permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee; and Sarawak Museum Department acting director Suria Bujang.
