By Lorena Binisol
SABAH can boast a rich variety of cultures and traditions stemming from its more than 40 diverse ethnic groups.
Take the Kadazan community, for example; they have countless stories to tell. One notable tradition is rice wine making, a skill championed by women in the past for survival.
The Kadazan people, known for their farming practice, often had an abundance of rice. They ingeniously used the surplus to create rice wine, or popularly known as ‘Lihing’through a fermentation process.
However, not many people, especially the younger generation, are interested in this craft nowadays. If the skill is not properly transferred to the next generation, there is a fear that the heirloom tradition will vanish and be totally forgotten.
In an effort to revive the tradition, The Pickles & Me, a small private entity, took pride in passing down the knowledge through various learning workshops.
The initiative began with four pilot projects, supported by funding from four non-governmental organizations.
They were SEED (Sabah Social Entrepreneurs & Eco Development); SAWENA (Sabah Entrepreneurs of Excellence Association); SLDN (National Dual Training System, Sabah & Labuan) and Lions Club of Keningau Downtown respectively.
They believed in the importance of transferring knowledge to young people and recognized that such initiatives are instrumental in sustaining culture and preserving the legacy.
Mary Jim, a social entreprenuer said by supporting the move, it contributed to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, ensuring that it remained vibrant and relevant for future generations.
“Such programme is important, particularly in its impact on the younger generation, as it not only serves to preserve our culture but also to elevate and champion potential across diverse economic and entrepreneurial landscapes.
It does so by fostering innovation, resilience, and product development, ensuring that our cultural heritage is respected and not exploited,” Mary pointed out.
Today, about ten workshops had been conducted for both urban and rural communities, benefiting over a hundred participants.
