Kuching will host the first shamanism conference ever held in Malaysia.
The first shamanism conference in the nation will be held in Kuching from August 25 to 28 at the Borneo Cultures Museum.
The international conference, entitled “Shamanism and Crisis: Seeking Human Identity,” is being organised by the Sarawak Museum Department and the International Society for Academic Research on Shamanism (ISARS). Registration is still open till August 21.
Ancient spiritual and healing traditions used by indigenous communities all over the world include shamanism. There is historical evidence for medicine men, natural healers, and people who were in touch with spirits and power dating back at least 20,000 to 30,000 years. Every continent in the world practises this universal spiritual path.
By hosting this conference, Sarawak will bring together researchers, academicians, museum staff members, and local communities who are passionate about this traditional cultural heritage to jointly explore progress in issues and challenges of the most discussed issues related to shamanism, with a close examination of issues of the last decades like globalisation, environmental and ecological degradation, cultural resilience, and the universal spiritual wisd.
Shamanism is a way for people to deepen their connection to nature because all traditional spiritual practises have their roots in the natural world.
It is envisaged that the conference will raise community understanding, particularly about the legal implications of protecting Sarawak’s traditional healing practises from extinction as a result of social and religious changes.
Additionally, Sarawak will benefit more in terms of enlarging its knowledge base, networking, building links and collaborations with other professionals, enhancing educational outcomes, raising funds for future research, and improving its international profile.
To register, click here to access a Google Forms registration form.
The cost of registration is RM600 per person for the entire conference package or RM65 per person per day if conference kits, meals, and tours are not included. University students are entitled to free admission.
Email Wong Siew Fui at [email protected] or [email protected] with any questions (Dora Jok).
For the most recent information on this conference, you can also follow the @borneoculturesmuseum and @jabatanmuziumsarawak Facebook and Instagram sites.
