Traditional attire contest instils pride among Orang Asli youth

The opportunity to pose in their traditional attire for a recent competition has fostered cultural pride among the Orang Asli community, especially its youth.

Conducted online for the second time from Jan 17 to Feb 4 by the Orang Asal Perak Arts Cultural Association (PKKOAP), the competition was originally conceived to share the culture with the outside community.

But organisers were pleasantly surprised to find the competition had spurred interest among Orang Asli youth who were reintroduced to many elements of their heritage and found the confidence to practise their traditions, PKKOAP chairperson Ronnie Bahari said.

One such young participant is...