Museum Talks: Sarawak Snapshots

23 June 2024: Safeguarding Sarawak’s intangible cultural heritage by Datu Dr Rashihah Bolhassan

Datu Dr Rashidah Bolhassan, in her talk “Safeguarding Sarawak’s intangible cultural heritage” focussed on intangible indigenous knowledge and the significance of preserving this. She will mention initiatives undertaken by the Sarawak State Library to preserve and protect the invaluable intangible cultural heritage of the diverse indigenous communities of Sarawak. 

Intangible cultural heritage is a term used to describe various cultural expressions that are passed down from generation to generation, typically through oral traditions. This includes a wide range of practices, such as performing arts, social customs, rituals, and festive events. It also encompasses knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe, as well as traditional craftsmanship.

Datu Dr Rashidah Bolhassan earned a PhD from Victoria University of Wellington. She was the first CEO of the Sarawak State Library until 2020. After that, she went on to work as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development from 2021 to 2022. Currently, she is serving as an advisor to the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts. The link for the recording of the talk is here.