Celebrate World Indigenous Day with pride

8 August 2024

By AVV

PENAMPANG: Awareness of the well-being and rights of indigenous communities and their unique cultures and contributions to the world are some of the objectives of the World's Indigenous Peoples Day celebrated today in Sabah and Malaysia.

The celebration hopes to recognise and promote the rights of Indigenous peoples as well as celebrate the diversity of Indigenous cultures.

The day promotes dialogue and understanding among Indigenous peoples, governments, and the public to foster mutual respect and cooperation, emphasising sustainable development that respects the rights, cultures, and traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples.

There are opinions that this celebration be given importance equal to cultural celebration such as the Harvest Festival.

“As indigenous peoples, we must be willing to adapt and make sacrifices to ensure our cultural survival. It is essential to demonstrate that indigenous communities can thrive and succeed like any other group,” shares Torida Saragon Chairperson of Persatuan Wanita Peduli Kota Belud.

“We must keep on holding this event annually to raise awareness about our rights as indigenous peoples on our ancestral lands," she stated.

“I wholeheartedly support the organization of World Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations to ensure the continuation of Indigenous culture, especially among the younger generation born in the millennial era (since 2000), who often lack interest or awareness of Indigenous heritage due to pervasive internet influence.

Additionally, these celebrations promote unity within local communities and strengthen social bonds. The personal significance of this event is profound to me as it indirectly promotes self-awareness and underscores the importance of preserving the customs and heritage of indigenous peoples. In my view, it is highly advisable to conduct these celebrations at the regional level to encourage the participation of diverse communities and uphold regional unity, Jakunis Gindua Chairperson of Persatuan Penduduk Wanita Nahaba Tegudon opined.

“It should be conducted annually to educate the local community about the significance of being indigenous. The benefits for us are immense if it is not politicized. This event should be organised and commemorated annually, not only at the district level but also in villages,” said Geofery Magaran Village Development and Security Chairman of Kg Kaung, adding that many Indigenous people in villages are not aware of their rights as Indigenous people as recognised by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Santiom Domenting, a teacher from Kg Lasau Tintapon emphasised the importance of holding this event to secure recognition for Indigenous communities.

“It should be an annual occurrence to educate the younger generation about their heritage and foster pride in their roots. Moreover, organising and celebrating it at the grassroots level is important to ensure broader awareness among those with limited access to global events.”

This celebration is crucial for honouring the culture and traditions of indigenous peoples and passing them on to younger generations. By doing so, we not only recognize indigenous communities on a global scale but also raise awareness among all of us about their rich heritage and contributions to society, said Kudua Darisoh the Village Development and Security Chairman of Kampung Lahanas.

“This celebration holds great significance for us as indigenous people, as it plays a vital role in preserving our fading culture, which is often underappreciated by the younger generation. It serves as a powerful reminder to the world that indigenous communities still thrive in Malaysia, particularly in Sabah. I firmly believe that this event should be celebrated annually, providing us with the opportunity to come together, exchange ideas, and work towards advancing Indigenous peoples in areas such as economy, culture, and education,” said Junik Bajit Tenom United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) Division Chief.

“In my opinion, this programme is very beneficial, especially for the diverse Indigenous peoples in this state, as it can strengthen the bonds of kinship among different Indigenous tribes. It enables a better understanding of the traditions of various indigenous tribes. The programme also promotes the Madani cooperative sales, which can increase the income of those attending. I believe this programme should be continued annually,” Alextus Sylvester Gill, the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) branch head from Kampung Taginambur stated.

Billy Jiniwat Chairman of the Moyog Penampang Community Welfare Association opines this celebration is very important and appropriate to uphold our cultural heritage and foster unity, allowing us to showcase and commemorate our origins to everyone.

"This celebration is very meaningful to me because my own people, as descendants of the KDM ethnic group, are part of the indigenous community. Most importantly, when this celebration takes place, I am reminded always to cherish my cultural heritage. It should be organised at the district, state, and national levels like the Kaamatan Festival."

Today Kadamaian State Assemblyman Datuk Ewon Benedick officiated the World's Indigenous Peoples Day in his constituency.

During the event, he urged the indigenous people to strengthen their participation in the entrepreneurship and cooperative movements in order to contribute to the country's economy.

Overall, the World's Indigenous Peoples Day aims to promote the well-being and rights of indigenous communities and to raise awareness about their unique cultures and contributions to the world.

The World's Indigenous Peoples Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1994 and observed annually on August 9th to promote and protect the rights of Indigenous peoples worldwide and to recognise their unique cultures, languages, and traditions.