KUCHING: The Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts is committed to supporting initiatives aimed at preserving rituals, ceremonies, and tools associated with hill paddy cultivation in Sarawak.
The Ministry’s Culture and Heritage Unit assistant secretary Barry Lian Ingan said while hill paddy cultivation is no longer widely practised in the modern era, it continues to have a significant impact on the beliefs, culture, and lifestyle of local communities.
“It is part of the community’s rich cultural heritage that must be preserved and documented for future generations,” he said during the opening of The Hills of Harvest: Bidayuh Hill Paddy Cultivation Workshop here Saturday (Dec 14).
The one-day event, held at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) multipurpose hall, drew around 100 participants.
Lian also highlighted the connection between hill paddy cultivation and Gawai Dayak, a vibrant state celebration in Sarawak that has become a tourism attraction.
“Many may not be aware that Gawai Dayak is closely tied to hill paddy cultivation, including the associated rituals and ceremonies. It is a colourful festival with deep cultural significance,” he said.
He added that the ministry had approved RM23,000 to fund the workshop and encouraged DBNA to submit a funding application for similar programmes in 2025.
Meanwhile, DBNA president Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik said the workshop aims to create detailed and comprehensive documentation of hill paddy cultivation practices.
“Each stage of the cultivation cycle, from land clearing to harvesting and seeking new farmland, has ceremonies attached to it.
“Numerous pantang larang (taboos) are observed at every step to invoke blessings and ensure protection for the paddy,” he said.
Pahon explained that the Bidayuh community believes paddy has a soul and must be treated with reverence.
Their strong bond with nature required them to heed warnings from dreams, omens, or animal movements, as any disobedience could lead to poor harvests.
He said that in his younger days, he too had helped his parents on their hill paddy farm.
“Some of us attending this workshop have lived that life. Before these traditions disappear, it is time to document them,” he added.
He also said presentations from the workshop would be compiled for submission to relevant ministries.
