Dayak group demands apology over Astro show mocking Ibans
Sarawak cultural association advises Astro, producers to respect other races after sketch in which comedy group wears traditional Iban women’s costume.
PETALING JAYA: The Dayak community has demanded that Astro, the producers of Maharaja Lawak Mega 2017 and comedy group Raban Zero apologise for a sketch which had offended the people of Iban heritage, the Borneo Post reported today.
The Kuching Dayak Culture and Arts Association (Persatuan Penggiat Seni dan Kebudayaan Dayak Kuching) also advised the parties concerned not to mock the heritage of other local communities by making fun of traditional costumes.
“Do not repeat the same mistakes in future. For instance, when a composer composes a song, he or she must consider the sensitivities surrounding those who would be listening to the song, particularly those from different cultures and races.
“Please be reminded not to touch on the sensitivities of other races but do your research first,” the association’s vice-chairman Isa Lee told the Kuching-based daily.
He was referring to the sketch by the group Raban Zero, in which the three-man group wore the traditional “Ngepan” Iban costume worn by women on special occasions, such as the Gawai harvest festival.
“Men wearing women’s cloth is not the norm in Malaysian society let alone men wearing the ‘Ngepan’ Iban. Wearing it has its own practice, code and ethics which are considered sacred by the Ibans,” he was quoted as saying, adding that Astro, Raban Zero and the producers had violated the good sense of racial harmony by belittling the Ibans in particular.
Lee explained that there is always a story behind every piece of “Ngepan” Iban and therefore, these pieces must be put at the right places outside the human body.
“The Dayak community, or Iban in particular, was not against other races wearing ‘Ngepan’ Iban but if they were to wear it, they should do so in a correct and proper manner.
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Members of the Dayak community took to social media to express their outrage after the video of the sketch spread online.