LAHAD DATU, Aug 8 (Bernama) — The two-day Segama Harmonious Culture and Arts Festival 2022 from last Saturday has been viewed as an important medium in bringing the different ethnic communities in the district closer together in conjunction with the National Month celebration.
The festival had gathered 13 ethnic groups here including the Idahan, Dusun, Bajau, Bugis, Suluk and Chinese, and highlighted the uniqueness of their respective cultural heritage such as dance, clothing, music and food.
The Segama Community Development Leadership Unit (UPPM) head, Mizma Appehdullah said the festival was also in tune with the theme of this year’s National Day celebration, ‘Keluarga Malaysia Teguh Bersama’ (The Malaysian Family Strong Together) aimed at fostering love for the country and the spirit of patriotism among the people.
She said the festival’s merriment also clearly portrayed the residents’ high level of patriotism and rejecting the claims made by irresponsible parties of security threats to Lahad Datu so as to cause fear to the residents.
“This initiative could promote love and strong familial spirit, and remove the hurdle of differences, proven by the presence of every level of the local society at the festival to enliven it,” she told Bernama.
Meanwhile, Sungai Idahan, Segama ethnic representative, Marlizawati Omar, 40, said the festival was the right platform to bring together a plural community in order to know the various cultural heritage of every ethnic group here and to appreciate the country’s independence.
“This festival has brought to the fore, our cultural heritage as in Lahad Datu, there are various Idahan groups such as the Segama, Sepagaya, Binuang and Bikang, while it has also brought them closer together, besides giving exposure to the other ethnic groups in this district,” she said.
Sabah Bugis Community Association representative (PKBS), Rohana Saing, 36, said the harmony and prosperity enjoyed today, as well as the enduring cultural heritage until today was the result of the country’s independence.
“The involvement of the Bugis community in this festival is our way of expressing pride and enlivening the National Month celebration such as by introducing the Bugis heritage including its traditional wear known as ‘baju bodo’.
“To enliven the National Month celebration, PKBS will also be holding a state-level traditional food and drinks festival, ‘Anre-Anre Ogie’, on Aug 21.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency