Cultural activists highlight importance of preserving ‘ajat’ as part of Iban identity

Dancers from DBK Melikin perform the ‘Ajat Atas Chapak’. SIBU (Nov 11): The Iban ‘ajat’ (traditional dance) is one of the most important traditions that must be preserved in order to elevate the community’s cultural identity. In making this call, Dayak Bumi Kenyalang cultural instructor Korea Musit says the ‘ajat’ is not only performed during Gawai Dayak, but also to welcome the guests, especially during an official or significant event.

“This dance needs to be passed down from one generation to the next, so that it will not become obsolete over time. “We feel proud to be able to present our dance to outsiders everywhere, to introduce Iban culture to them,” she said in a statement issued by the Dayak Bukit Kelingkang Association (DBK) Melikin branch. On Saturday, DBK Melikin members performed the ‘ajat’ during a thanksgiving ceremony at Dewan Persatuan Wat Maha Boddhi in Samarindah Baru, Kota Samarahan.



They performed ‘Ajat Ngelalu Temuai’ (Welcoming the Guests), ‘Ajat Pua Kumbu’, ‘Ajat Atas Chapak’ (Dance on Plates), ‘Ajat Lelaki’ (Men’s Dance) and ‘Ajat Indu’ (Women’s Dance). In his remarks, DBK founder Victor Ason opined that today’s generation could master this dance well if they had been exposed and used to it since childhood. “The ‘ajat’ is performed not only as a sign of respect and to celebrate the guests, but it is also part of the DBK Melikin’s initiatives to introduce Iban culture to the outsiders.

“This dance forms a part of our ethnic identity to maintain the harmonious living among different races, in addition to it representing the artistic and cultural heritage in Sarawak,” he said..