The Ibans of Borneo, once known as fierce jungle headhunters, hold a rich heritage rooted in balance between the human world, the spirit world, and the jungle. As modern life pulls younger generations toward the cities, their traditions risk fading away.

To preserve their identity, the community celebrates Gawai Antu — a rare three-day festival honouring the dead. With a year of preparation and thousands returning to their ancestral longhouse, the ritual reaffirms unity and ancestral ties, keeping the Iban spirit alive against the pressures of modernity.

Speaker: Barbara Dubah Jabu, Community Builder

Barbara Dubah Jabu is an experienced communicator with 25 years in government, corporate, and education sectors. She served as Press Secretary to Minister Senator Dato’ Sri Idris Jala managing nation's Government and Economic Transformation Programmes, and Special Officer to Minister Dato’ Sri Nancy Shukri during the COVID-19 pandemic, excelling in crisis communication and change management. Barbara led the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture's War Room to successfully normalize tourism amid challenges. A cultural advocate, she produced films promoting indigenous heritage and sustainable eco-tourism through impactful storytelling.

Speaker: Loo Shun Ming, Producer of Image Farm Productions Sdn Bhd

Shun Ming is the Lead Content Strategist and Producer at Image Farm, with more than 20 years of experience in documentary and non-fiction storytelling. She specialises in creating impact-driven content for international audiences. Her award-winning works have been broadcast on National Geographic Asia, Channel NewsAsia, and Mediacorp, and distributed across Europe and Asia. Passionate about corporate narratives that go beyond branding, Shun Ming crafts stories designed to resonate, influence, and inspire.

Moderator: Kenny, General Manager of Penang Art District 

With over a decade of experience in arts management, Kenny Ng has worked across the creative industries, including as Festival Assistant at George Town Festival (2015–2017). Since 2018, he has been with Penang Art District (PAD), where he now serves as General Manager.

Date: 14/9/2025 (Sunday)

Time: 2pm-4:30pm 

Venue: Jetty 35

*Conduct in English