Objectifs

Our NGO was established with the paramount objective of empowering indigenous and local communities in Sarawak, particularly among the natives and indigenous populations, through the preservation of culture, community development, and education. In alignment with the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), one of our principal missions is to safeguard and promote the living heritage of Sarawak’s diverse ethnic groups. Our organization has cultivated substantial expertise in the realm of ICH through over a decade of grassroots engagement, participatory documentation, and collaborative research. We have collaborated closely with the Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Orang Ulu, and other indigenous groups to identify, document, and revitalize traditional knowledge systems, oral traditions, rituals, craftsmanship, and performing arts. Our team comprises cultural practitioners, anthropologists, educators, and community leaders who guide and co-develop our initiatives. We have facilitated community-led inventories, orchestrated traditional knowledge transmission programs, and championed intergenerational learning through informal workshops, cultural camps, and educational outreach in rural schools. Our partnerships with universities, museums, and local councils have augmented our technical capacity and helped bridge the chasm between academic and community knowledge systems. While our overarching organizational goals encompass community empowerment and sustainable development, the safeguarding of ICH is intricately woven into these aims. We firmly believe that the preservation and transmission of traditional cultural practices are vital for fortifying community identity, cultivating pride, and fostering social cohesion. Through respectful collaboration and community ownership, we persist in constructing a model of safeguarding that is culturally sensitive, sustainable, and firmly rooted in the lived experiences of Sarawak’s indigenous peoples.

Coopération

The organization engages intimately with communities, groups, and individuals to safeguard, promote, and revitalize intangible cultural heritage (ICH) through an array of collaborative strategies. Central to its methodology is the facilitation of cultural exchange and dialogue, accomplished through workshops, forums, and events that convene cultural custodians and community members to share their experiences. Networking initiatives and online platforms such as ichlinks.com further bolster ongoing dialogue and the dissemination of cultural knowledge. A pivotal focus of the organization is the transmission and revitalization of ICH. Strategic partnerships with institutions such as Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), MACPA, and regional coalitions like ICHLINKS are indispensable in executing documentation efforts. These endeavors encompass the capturing of oral traditions, rituals, and practices through diverse media formats. Noteworthy projects include documentaries on traditional Malaysian practices such as Mek Mulung, Songket weaving, Silat, and Sarawak’s Kek Lapis. Training and mentorship programs are tailored for youth and community members, aiming to ensure the perpetuation of traditional skills. Significantly, a Smart Incubation Center established in 2019, in collaboration with MARA and MACPA, imparts training to youth in the digital documentation of ICH. The organization also spearheads revitalization initiatives by orchestrating festivals and showcasing endangered traditions to rekindle interest and pride within local communities. In adapting ICH to contemporary contexts, the organization integrates traditional knowledge into formal education and advocates for sustainable practices inspired by cultural traditions. Educational collaborations encompass workshops in traditional music, dance, and craftsmanship within schools and community colleges. Public performance programs and cultural showcases, in partnership with governmental agencies such as JKKN, further aid in popularizing ICH. Ultimately, the organization fosters innovation by facilitating collaborations between traditional practitioners and modern creators. For instance, the SPA Malaysia music therapy project amalgamates traditional instruments with contemporary wellness practices. These endeavors ensure that ICH remains dynamic, esteemed, and pertinent in modern society.