It’s perhaps a little-known fact but a cultural dance called Zapin Arab is often performed at events like weddings in Tawau district.

Many Tawau folk are keen on such dances like that of Zapin Arab.

And it’s not just confined to descendants of Arabs in Tawau, but other races like Bugis and the Suluk would also know how to do the Zapin Arab.

With this in mind, the ethnic and cultural associations in Lahad Datu and Tawau districts have been urged to promote their traditions and practices as a unique form of cultural tourism product.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said it was important for these associations to preserve their traditional practices for future generations amid the modernisation that was taking place.

He said the richer the cultures and their traditions, the better it was to market and push them as an ethnic-based tourism product.

The ministry was prepared to assist the associations with this, he said.

“We are willing to help these ethnic and cultural associations develop the industry through the richness of our cultural diversity,” he said in a statement.

Jafry met with industry players in Lahad Datu and Tawau recently.

The meeting was attended by more than 30 ethnic associations, including the Sabah Cocos association, the Tawau Banjar association, the Idaan Segama Cultural Arts Association and the Tidung Sabah community association.

Jafry said the ministry, through the Sabah Cultural Board, would take the initiative to identify cultures or groups that were close to extinction but had the potential to be revived.

The meeting also touched on issues relating to future plans and initiatives to strengthen tourism products through culture and the holding of a state-level Ethnic Day celebration, as well as the building of a cultural hall and gallery in Lahad Datu.