‘Instant mode fine, but not at the expense of traditions’

Wadel presents a souvenir to Dr Jerip (third left) as a token of appreciation. Lo Khere Chiang is on Dr Jerip’s right and Michael on Wadel’s left.

KUCHING: All communities ought to observe their respective festivals seriously and ensure that the celebrations are filled with traditional grandeur.

Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, who made the call on Friday, said this was important because modernisation had torn some festivals, cultures and traditions asunder in various aspects.

If the decline was not halted, he cautioned, the many unique practices of the various races in the state would be forgotten one day, and this goes for the special identity of the people as well.

“We must make every effort to celebrate every traditional festival that is unique in our state and country as it reflects our true identity, or else we will be struggling with ourselves in the future,” he said at Padawan Municipal Council (MPP)’s Gawai Open House 2014 here.

“What I fear the most is that our young people will forget these cultures and traditions as they are easily influenced by universal and commercial festivals.”

A traditional wrist band (grundung) is tied onto Dr Jerip’s hand when he arrived to grace MPP’s Gawai Dayak Open House 2014.

Taking Gawai Dayak as an example, Bengoh assemblyman Dr Jerip recalled it was celebrated very traditionally in the 60s and 70s, where all sorts of cultures and traditions were observed.

“We really followed what our forefathers did, including activities relating to food and drink. But these days, all these are gone, as we prefer to prepare all things on `instant mode’.”

Dr Jerip reiterated that it was very important to preserve cultures and traditions as it would enable the race concerned to be proud as they possessed something unique.

“If we have a strong identity, I believe we will not be afraid to cross path with anybody in the world.”
On MPP’s initiative, he hoped it would become the councils’ annual ritual to not only foster relationship among the people but as a way to preserve the treasured values, practices and cultures of the Dayaks.

In his speech, organising chairman councillor Wadel Boyod thanked Dr Jerip for contributing RM5,000 to organise the gathering.

MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang and the council’s secretary Michael Sawing were also present.

June 29, 2014, Sunday 

reporters@theborneopost.com