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| Tapak Pesta Kaul |
He said in the past, Kaul was a ritual practice of the Melanau before the advent of Islam and Christianity.
The festival has brought together the alluring culture and way of life of the Melanau, who used to fish for a living, he said at the launch of Kaul in Kala Dana here Saturday.
"By 2020, we want Kaul to be an international festival that could bring together all Melanau cultures such as music, songs, musical instruments and clothing as successful as the Rainforest World Music Festival (in Santubong)," he added.
Taib said more locals would be trained and equipped with skills on Melanau arts and culture to enable the new generation to the keep the tradition alive, well and flourishing.
He said Kaul should also keep in steps with changing times without stifling the unique cultural characteristics handed down through the ages.
Earlier, Mukah Kaul Festival Main Committee 2011 chairman Datuk Seri Dr Muhammad Leo Toyad said the festival, which was almost 1,000 years old, was a symbol of unity and harmony among various ethnic groups in Sarawak.
"Kaul is now even bigger with 35 side events incorporated and attended by many visitors, including from Brunei," he said, adding that with a better road from Mukah connected to the Trans-Borneo trunk road, the annual festival was expected to attract more visitors.
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