CJMY
The fifth Sarawak Highland Folk Music and Dance Festival were held from April 27 to 29 in Long Bedian, Apoh, featuring a variety of cultural performances including dance and traditional music performances from Orang Ulu group such as Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit and Penan.
The festival was organised by the Long Bedian Sub-District Office, the event was a joint effort with the Telang Usan District Office, Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performance Arts, and Long Bedian Village Security and Development Committee.
The festival aimed to showcase traditional music and dance by the Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit and Penan folks, and most of the performances were rarely presented to the public.
The event attracted an estimated 2,000 people and involved more than 15 music and dance performances by the 11 villages. The festival served as one event that attracts tourists to Long Bedian and a platform to introduce traditional music to the younger generation.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah commended the festival and viewed it as having huge potential to be turned into one of the main tourism activities in Apoh, Baram.
However, he suggested rebranding the festival to be tied to Long Bedian, stating, “I want to see Long Bedian develop because this area has huge potential.” He believed that the festival could be held on a grander scale next time.
Abdul Karim expected the tourism industry to continue to grow, reinforced by the strong support from the state government under the leadership of the Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He praised Abang Johari’s administration, which focused on the development of rural areas.
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, who is also Sarawak Tourism Board chairman, expressed hope for the inclusion of the Sarawak Highland Folks Music and Dance Festival on the board’s calendar so that more visitors could visit Long Bedian. Dennis hoped that the festival could be held on a fixed date, which would enable visitors to plan accordingly.
The festival served as an opportunity to promote arts, culture and tourism to the outside world. At the event, Abdul Karim and deputy minister Datuk Sebastian Ting announced their respective Minor Rural Project allocations of RM80,000 and RM20,000 to three organisations: the parent-teacher association SMK Long Bedian, the village development and security committees of Long Bedian, and Borneo Evangelical Church Long Bedian. STB chief executive officer Sharzede Datu Salleh Askor was also present at the event.
The Sarawak Highland Folk Music and Dance Festival showcases the rich traditions and culture of Orang Ulu. It serves as one of the main tourism activities in Apoh Baram and attracts visitors from Brunei and other countries.
The festival provides a platform to introduce traditional music to the younger generation and promotes arts, culture and tourism to the outside world. With the continuous support of the government, the tourism industry in Sarawak is expected to continue to grow, giving a direct impact on the economy and livelihood of the community.
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