Paris - A traditional Malay drum - "rebana ubi" -- has successfully made its way from Malaysia to the UNESCO headquarters here as a symbol of goodwill.
Malaysia National Commission for UNESCO Secretary-General Mohd Noor Rashid Mat Taharim said the drum was used to officiate the opening ceremony of the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) conference in Kuala Lumpur last month.
"We had promised to send this special drum here as a symbolic gesture of Malaysia‘s appreciation to UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura for attending and gracing the conference," he told Bernama.
The presentation of the rebana ubi was even more significant following Malaysia‘s successful bid in winning a seat in the UNESCO executive board, which began its 179th session on Monday.
"As Malaysia is currently a member of UNESCOs Executive Board, the presentation of the rebana ubi to UNESCO also signifies Malaysia‘s commitment to extend its highest degree of co-operation in achieving UNESCOs aims and objectives," said Mohd Noor, who is accompanying Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein to the meeting.
In ancient Malay civilization, the rebana ubi, or giant drums, were used to communicate from hill to hill across vast distances.
Wedding announcements, danger warnings, and other newsworthy items were drummed out using different beats.
At a luncheon here Wednesday, Matsuura and Hishammuddin along with Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal jointly beat the drum, reverberating the sound of cooperation and goodwill.
For the record, Malaysia had presented a silver miniature of the rebana ubi to Matsuura during the 43rd SEAMEO Council Conference on March 13.
Source: www.bernama.com (10 April 2008)
