International Indigenous Day 2022

Students demonstrate the traditional Costume of Dusun Liwan, Suluk, Murut & Bajau during the celebration of International Indigenous Day, at Mini Theatre, UCSF, on 10th August 2022

About the event

International Indigenous Day 2022

On 10 August 2022, the Institute Borneo Studies (IBS), in collaboration with the Student Affairs Department (SAD) and the Student Representative Council (SRC) organised the International Indigenous Day 2022 at the Mini Theatre B7-05, level 7 UCSF. The half-day event was held in conjunction with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People which is observed by the United Nations (UN) on 9 August every year since 1994.

The programme was attended by 75 participants which include UCSF students as well as UCSF academicians and staff. The objective of the event is to raise awareness on the needs to protect the rights of indigenous communities, and to preserve indigenous culture and traditions.

During the event, 16 students delivered four presentations and performances with different themes namely indigenous music, dance, food, and costume. Mr. Carlervin Sukim from the IBS delivered a storytelling session in Rungus language. Ten indigenous-inspired artworks from the Nature Inspiration Art Gallery (NIAG) were also displayed.
Several participants attended the event wearing their traditional costumes. Ms. Sherley Janeive Jundy and Mr. Kalvin Jonathan Sapian won the Best Traditional Attire for woman and man respectively.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Kntayya Mariappan, Dean of the Faculty of Development and Multicultural Studies (FDMS), UCSF expressed his hope that the students appreciate the indigenous day celebration and do their part in protecting and preserving indigenous culture and traditions in Sabah.

Also present were Mr. Ibrahem G. Wasti, Programme Coordinator of the Faculty of Natural Science and Sustainability (FNSS), Ms. Barbarawati Richard, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Entrepreneurship (FME), and Mr. Mohd Ridzwan Ismail Celestial, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Creative Media (FACM).