The Kenyah, one of the ethnic groups under the Orang Ulu community in Sarawak, is on the brink of losing their identity if no concrete steps were taken to preserve them.

Sarawak National Kenyah Association (PKKS) adviser Jacob Dungau Sagan today said the group now faced greater challenges to keep up with other more influential cultures.

Speaking to launch the PKKS Kenyah Cultural Festival at the Sungai Asap resettlement scheme in Belaga, about 220 kilometres from Bintulu, he said the association should take up the task to address the situation.

NONE He suggested that PKKS established a database to document and identify crucial issues relating to the religion, culture, customary laws and the language of the Kenyah people.

"PKKS should establish linkage with research institutions, universities or interested individuals wanting to carry out research activities and writings on the Kenyah," he added.

Sagan, who is also the Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, said younger generation of Kenyahs should be trained and given courses on their positive traditional culture so that it would countinue to flourish.

He also warned on the over eagerness to innovate cultural performances that could corrupt the original nature of the show.

"I have seen a number of performances on Kenyah cultural show held in Kuala Lumpur which I see was not rightly done and this should not be allowed to go on," he said.

Sagan said the Kenyah Festival which had been an annual event could be transformed into another tourism attraction that would enable the ethnic group to contribute effectively to the nation.

About 3,000 members of the Kenyah community gathered at Sungai Asap to take part in the three-day festival which started yesterday.

- Bernama