The Selangor International Indigenous Art Festival 2016 (SIIAF) was back for the second time at Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam, Selangor with a presentation of tribal dances, culture and a mission to accomplish.

Organised by Tourism Selangor and Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS), with collaboration from Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), this year’s theme ‘Back to the roots, #Landrightsnow!’ is in conjunction with the worldwide Land Rights Now campaign.

The Selangor International Indigenous Art Festival is aimed at bringing awareness to the public on the culture and heritage of the Indigenous people, as well as giving the indigenous tribes across Malaysia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, The Philippines and Vietnam, a platform to promote their culture and heritage tourism in culturally-rich Selangor. By promoting the culture and creating awareness of the indigenous people, it not only helps to attract tourists to the state, but also helps the indigenous people economically.

Some of the highlights for this year includes -appearances and cultural performances by 21 domestic indigenous tribes, exhibitions and food tasting of traditional food of Peninsular and East Malaysia and the unveiling of the newest traditional home of the MahMeri tribe.

In many countries, indigenous tribes continue to remain a mystery, unknown to the larger population. In our quest to become developed and progressive nation, we should not forget these communities and Tourism Selangor is doing it right to literally get back to the roots.