Another cut and paste from The Star online edition on the blessed land of the hornbills.
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Joy in diversity
By Joleen Lunjew
No other place in Malaysia is perhaps as culturally diverse as the Land of the Hornbills.
Ask any Sarawakian why they love their homeland and you can be sure that unity and cultural diversity are top on their list.
The pride of the nation is how its melting pot of people, cultures and traditions have managed to not only co-exist, but to thrive.
Floria Akap Etong loves the sense of unity in Sarawak.
We talked to some people about life in Sarawak.
Benedict Jimbau, 50, Bidayuh Tourism marketing manager
“Sarawak is blessed with a diversity of people, cultures and traditions. We have 27 ethnic communities living harmoniously here. We have such an interesting and colourful society.
“I think Sarawak should be at the forefront, a proud example of how, although we are culturally diverse, we are still able to share a common Malaysian value. There is a high degree of tolerance among the people, and I have never heard of any racial clashes here before.
“Everybody celebrates each other’s festivities. There is no hesitation from Muslims about entering a non-Muslim home. They don’t ask if it’s halal or not as it’s automatically understood that we will cater to each other’s cultures and beliefs. Muslims here have no problem eating in a non-Muslim restaurant. We all eat together.
“As far as tourism is concerned, Sarawak is rich in natural wonders just waiting to be discovered. Our best natural treasures are our more than 20 national parks which are rich in flora and fauna. I’ve seen a lot of progress in Sarawak that I’m very proud of. We, the older generation, have joined our children in exploring the many opportunities available to pursue our dreams.
“We have a higher standard of education now. Knowledge promotes further progress, and the universities have enabled me to complete my masters degree and pursue my doctorate.”
Benedict Jimbau says there is a high degree of tolerance among the people in Sarawak.
Zsa Zsa Othman, 33
Melanau Malay
Jewellery designer
“I’m very proud of the fact that although we live in Kuching, we are able to access natural wonders such as beaches, rivers and forests in less than half an hour. And our beaches are clean!
“They look just like they did 20 years ago because we preserve our seaside very well, controlling development. Our rivers and city are clean, too.
“Sarawakians are very tight when it comes to social unity as the schools are open to the various races. Everyone is on the same level unlike in the peninsula where the orang asli are only found in certain schools. I’ve never felt any racial tension here, and my best friends are Kelabit, Iban and Malay. I don’t feel the closeness among the different races in Kuala Lumpur, though.
“Festivities here are very personal. Unlike in KL where open houses are held for just one day, we open our houses for seven days and everyone can come and visit unannounced. We don’t limit the visiting hours, and that is what I miss the most when I celebrate festivities in KL.
“Although the Melanau are one of the smallest minorities here, we still have our own language, interesting culture and very interesting food such as umai (raw fish salad) and tebaloi (sago biscuits).
“Our costumes are cool, too, quite like a baju kurung.”
Zsa Zsa Othman likes Kuching because it is clean and Mother Nature is protected.
Diana Tracy anak Delim, 31
Bidayuh
Computer programmer
“The best thing about living in Sarawak is its environment. It’s clean, peaceful and has relatively few traffic jams. People are more friendly here, and I feel very safe because there are not many strangers in our neighbourhood. Strangers always end up becoming friends in the end.
“I have friends and family from many races. There are Lun Bawang, Iban, Malay, Chinese and Jawa in my family. I love the festivities as we will all go to each other’s houses to celebrate together. I sometimes follow my Iban cousin to her longhouse in Sri Aman to celebrate Gawai with her family. It’s a different experience but it’s fun and interesting.
“Sarawak is home to many ethnic tribes, and I am proud to be Bidayuh because of our gentle and peaceful nature. Our people have natural beauty, and we can often tell who is Bidayuh and who is from other tribes. Our traditional costumes are very beautiful, using old coins and colourful beads as accessories. We have great food, too, such as the ayam pansuh or bamboo chicken.
“Many activities are organised here which I feel highlight the people and cultures of Sarawak. There’s the Gawai, of course, and I never miss the annual Sarawak Regatta. We also have world-class events such as the Miri Jazz Festival and the Rainforest Music Festival which attracts visitors from all over the world.”
Diana Tracy anak Delim loves the friendliness of Sarawak.
Paul Ningkan, 56, Iban
retiree
“I was born in Brunei but I consider Sarawak home as I have been living here for almost 40 years. No matter where I go or travel to, I will always feel home sick and long to be back in Kuching. I studied abroad but it never crossed my mind to migrate.
“I have many friends from Peninsular Malaysia who have settled here after seeing for themselves how beautiful and peaceful Sarawak is. That’s a very good indication of how good this place is.
“Festivities are a very joyful time. It’s when we meet with people whom we haven’t seen for a while. We celebrate in town or back in the family longhouse in Betong. We have a good time with lots of people dancing and merry-making, but I wish we had more traditional activities such as the Ngajat dance and certain ceremonial rituals.
“The young people are forgetting their culture and customs which I feel should be passed down to the next generation.”
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May God continue blessing the bountiful and diversity of Sarawak and Malaysia.
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