Workshop on Fort Alice and Cross-cultural Excahnge

A fascinating workshop being conducted by Mike Boon in Sri Aman, as part of our community engagement program for the Fort Alice Conservation project. I strongly recommend that Kuchign people attend! See below Mike's letter:

'Reminiscing Forgotten Treasure - Simanggang' - Notice of Workshop 4 and Site Visits

Dear all,

During our previous workshop on 13.8.2013, Mr. Tay Chek Pin (a local historian) shared with us the following report that he found in the archive :

"ADO D.C. Hudden - At 5am on 12.4.1931, after a short ceremony, the first post of the new Office was erected. Despite the early hour, there was quite a good attendance and a point of great interest was the presence of the grandsons of 4 of those people who helped to raise the first post of Fort Alice 67 years ago - Dato Abang Haji Addul Rashid, the grandson of Abang Ali of Pusa, Abang Omar, Native Officer, grandson of Pengeran Matali and Teliang, Resident Office Clerk, grandson of Orang Kaya, Pemancha Nanang of Saribas."
(SG 1.5.1931, P.111, Simanggang Monthly Report).

Mr. Tay said that invitation for a Chinese Towkay to raise the second post was also being mentioned. In close examination of construction details in Fort Alice, joineries resembling Malay, Iban and Chinese carpentry traditions were self-evidence in suggesting that the fort was constructed by these communities with supervision from the White Officers. Local history revealed that the same communities have contributed, in various ways, to the development of Simanggang ever since the Fort was built.

In view of this unique social history, we wish to initiate a series of cross-cultural exchange to engage these communities, in support of the Community Heritage Museum that will be set up in the conserved Fort Alice.

In addition to our regular site visits to Fort Alice, we intend to bring our participants to visit traditional Malay kampung, Iban longhouses and Chinese farmhouses during this coming school holiday. Our first visit is to Kampung Hulu, which will be hosted by the community leaders, house owners and school children. The participants will visit traditional Malay houses, Surau and historical graves site. Participants will be treated to traditional Malay food and refreshment prepared by the hosts.

Attached [below] is a registration form for interested participants. Please note that participants are limited to 30 persons only! Non-local participants are encouraged to book their accommodation early.

Regards,
Mike Boon
Project Director