By Nik Naizi Husin
Saturday March 26, 2011
THE orang asli women in Kampung Sungai Ruil in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, are a creative lot.
They became the centre of attention during a competition on forest-based decorative products during an event organised by the Information, Communication and Culture Ministry here recently.
The competition was organised by the ministry to popularise the community’s arts and culture among the public.
Ankle strength: The action at the sepak raga competition
While the women took time off to prepare their ornate decorations, the men and children took part in a variety of activities that reflected their daily lives.
They showed off their axemanship skills in chopping wood using the beliung a traditional hatchet, played sepak raga, target shooting with blowpipe as well as singing.
In closing the event, Deputy Minister Senator Datuk Maglin Dennis D’ Cruz said the programme was a long term project by the ministry in its bid to boost creativity and the tourism industry.
Effective way: A man chopping wood using a traditional hatchet during the competition
“They can participate and exhibit their arts and culture and this can help stir the industry’s interest.
“The government has always ensured that the orang asli communities are not left behind in the mainstream development, whether they are in the peninsula, Sabah or Sarawak,” he added.
State Culture and Arts director Mohd Sukarno Abdul Wahab said the one-day programme was aimed at promoting orang asli arts and culture as one of nation’s heritage and for these customs to be understood and accepted by other communities in the country.
Singing his heart out: Mazuan performing on stage
“It was also an effort to forge closer ties and raise awareness on the government’s aspirations and visions,” he said.
He added that some of the local cultural activities had turned out to be a huge attraction among visitors and Kampung Sungai Ruil was one of the popular destinations.
A cultural group from Perak also took part in the programme where the members performed Malay traditional dances.
Mazuan Bah Gajah, winner of the 2009 Bintang Asyik FM was the special guest artiste who performed several songs to the delight of his fans in Kampung Sungai Ruil.
During the event residents and tourists were also entertained by other singers and performers.
Source: The Star Metro
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