By Nazifa Ramailan
PAGOH, 25 December 2021: IIUM Anjung Melayu has organised an Anjung Melayu and the Orang Asli Jakun tribe synergy programme at Mahallah Zaid bin Harithah compound in campus here by building a hut that represents the tribal culture.
The project started on 16 December after discussions with the indigenous people that was carried out for two months earlier before reaching an agreement between both parties.
It was organised in collaboration with Mahallah Representative Council (MRC), Tirkah Rimba Flagship by Dr. Suhaizi Suhaimi and Malay Food Heritage Branding by Dr. Shamsul Amry.
According to the President of IIUM Anjung Melayu, Daniel Tajudin, this synergy project was the first face-to-face event held at the mahallah after nearly two years without a physical programme due to COVID-19 pandemic.
This event was aimed to introduce students on how to build the Jakun tribe’s hut and to give them exposure to traditional cooking of the indigenous people known as “masak tua”.
Besides, this programme will act as an eye-opener to the students on the existence of the Jakun indigenous minority tribe around Muar.
The Jakun people’s huts are made of three main components – wood, bamboo and rattan. The thatched roof that is attached using rattans and bamboos becomes the roof spine.
Daniel said: “There are 13 committee members from Anjung Melayu and arts and culture bureau involved in this event.
Students residing at this mahallah lent a helping hand to make the project a big success.”
Daniel further remarked: “We are trying to expose and strengthen ties between the indigenous people and IIUM Pagoh community. It is also an attempt to beautify Mahallah Zaid landscape a symbol of the joint venture between the indigenous community and IIUM Pagoh.”
“It is hoped that we could organise more events to embellish the indigenous people’s hut at the mahallah in the future.
We certainly plan more programmes with the Jakun tribe in Sentosa village in the discourse of time to strengthen our ties. We plan to send some of our students to their village to learn about their cultures,” Daniel added.
The video of this programme can be watched here https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P9jmtBr8NMU***