MIRI: The Kenyahs in Sarawak have been given the challenge to host the Sarawak Kenyah Cultural Festival in Usun Apau if they want to see their signature event be included in the nation's tourism calendar by the president of the Federation of Orang Ulu Associations of Malaysia (Forum) Lihan Jok.
He was responding to the request made by the Kenyah National Association (PKKS) that he support the community's bid for the event to be included in the tourism calendar of the ministry of tourism.
“I will support your call for the cultural festival to be included in the tourism calendar on one condition that the event will not be held in Kuching, not in Sibu, not in Bintulu, not in Miri but in Usun Apau, ” said Lihan who is also the Telang Usan assemblyman.
He said this when launching the association Jogerthon Card yesterday.
Also present were the president of the association Marcus Gau Lian, the organising chairman Kennedy Chuk Pai Ugon, the Kenyah community leader Paul Kalang, the Telang Usan PBB youth chief councillor Dennis Ngau Jok.
“In order for the event to have its significance and be able to draw tourists especially foreign tourists you must have it in Usun Apau, the original home of the Kenyah. Although now it may seem an impossible dream for your association to have the event in Usun Apau, which is practically inaccessible due to its mountainous region but that is the challenge I put forth to the Kenyah renowned for their adventurous and persistence spirit,” said Lihan.
“It is in line with your festival's theme, The Spirit, Pride and Patriotism of Usun Apau. Your ancestors started in Usun Apau and now you the descendants of the mighty Kenyah warriors of Usun Apau must make an annual pilgrimage to the land of your ancestors to celebrate the spirit of Usun Apau,” he added.
Lihan gave the meaning to the acronym APAU by saying A stands for Adventurous, P stands for Persistence, A for Accommodating and U for United.
“These are the characteristics of the Kenyahs, said Lihan and he urged the Kenyahs to strive hard like their forefathers in order to progress like the other races, never to give up but to strive on for excellence in life. The Kenyahs are well known to be accommodating that is you like to be friends to everybody. Above all, the Kenyahs must be united even though there are so many sub-groups within the community. You must be proud to be a Kenyah, that is the patriotism of Usun Apau. If you are not proud to be a Kenyah, you are not a Kenyah,” said Lihan who is a Kayan, consider historically the cousins of the Kenyahs, for these two tribes traditionally live side by side harmoniously until this day.
The 2nd cultural festival organised by the association saw more than 700 participants from its eight branches taking part in the three-day event held at the Civic Centre.
Lihan announced a grant of RM10,000 to the association for next year. ENDS.
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Caption: USUN APAU FOR KENYAH: Lihan (fourth from left) receiving a souvenir from Marcus. Also seen are Dennis (3rd from left), Paul (3rd from right).
