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The National Unity Ministry has put forward a proposal to gazette the traditional Dayak ceremony, known as 'miring', as a National Heritage. Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang, the minister spearheading this initiative, believes the ceremony holds significant potential to be recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage at the national level and subsequently by UNESCO.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the minister emphasized that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through the National Heritage Department, should first gazette the miring ceremony as a national heritage. This step would facilitate comprehensive documentation, preservation, and promotion of the ceremony. Highlighting its cultural, historical, and authentic values, Aaron described the miring ceremony as a traditional ritual imbued with spiritual significance, gratitude, respect for nature, and prayers for well-being. It remains a vital practice within the Dayak community, particularly during the Gawai celebration and other traditional ceremonies.
Further elaborating on the preservation of Dayak culture, Aaron commended the recognition of the Ngajat dance as National Heritage in 2007. He regarded this recognition as a testament to Malaysia's commitment to safeguarding indigenous cultural traditions. Aaron urged all stakeholders to actively contribute to preserving Malaysia's traditional heritage, emphasizing its role in fostering unity among the nation's diverse communities. He noted that cultural heritage not only mirrors a community's history and identity but also forms the bedrock of social harmony in the country.
The ceremony, intended to usher in the upcoming Gawai festival, was a collaborative event organized by Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Sibu, Sarawak Dayak National Union (SDNU) Sibu, and Orang Ulu National Association (OUNA) Sibu.
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