Bajau Samah dance to go to world stage

KOTA BELUD, March 7 (Bernama) --The unique dance form of the Bajau Samah people, so far known only to local communities, will get the global limelight at the International Ethnofestival World Folk Vision 2019 to be held in Riyadh, Arab Saudi, from March 9 until 19.

The dance will be taken to the international stage by the  Windbreeze Dance Co. which will compete with more than 90 nations in the dance competition.

Led by  Hairul Nazmie Talib, the troupe comprises 14 dancers and two traditional musicians who are mostly students of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Taun Gusi I and II who were selected based on their performance at the World Folk Vision contest for the Europe and Asian region held in Russia in January.

Speaking to Bernama recently, Hairul Nazmie said the Bajau Samah dance was chosen based on the visual arts aspect, the variety in costume and traditional ethnic music which would add up to a unique performance that would captivate the audience.

He said the dancers will perform a dance with the “Lum Samah” theme which is about the life of the Bajau Samah people and comprises dance moves based on the ‘kuda pacu’ and ‘limbai traditions.

However, Hairul Nazmie who is the dance coach said the basic movements of the Bajau Samah dance will be infused with creative and contemporary moves which will breathe new life into the performance, making it more commercial and current.

“The contest is a platform to introduce the dance and cultural heritage of the Bajau Samah which is one of the ethnic groups in Sabah and has never been presented on a world stage.

“The dance that will be staged is creative choreographically, but will retain the cultural features of the Bajau Samah people,” he said.

Hairul Nazmie said his dancers had undergone training for one month before they were considered ready.

He said besides competing in the dance category, the troupe would also compete in three other categories, namely musical ensemble which will showcase a combination of Bajau Samah and Kadazan Dusun Murut musical instruments and traditional songs; the vocal category; and the national costume category.

He added that for the national costume category, the troupe will showcase six traditional costumes of the Bajau, Dusun and Murut people.

Hairul Nazmie said although the group had not set a target, it hoped to bring back at least a gold medal in the dance category.

“Our focus is not just to win but we want to display the culture of the Bajau Samah people internationally as well as give our dance talents the exposure as most of them are from rural areas,” he said.

One dancer Farihin Fardhan, 13, from SMK Taun Gusi II, said he was proud to have been selected to represent the country on an international stage, and he would share the experience with other dancers in Sabah.

Another dancer, Lyolastie Ratna, 16, from SMK Taun Gusi I, who was representing the country in the contest for the second time, said it was a chance to learn more about dance and gain more confidence to become a professional dancer.

-- BERNAMA