Malaysian Cultural Arts Programme 2024: The bright colours of Malaysia

You are warmly invited to a 2-hour celebration of music, dance, art, and culture from the state of Sarawak, East Malaysia. You will also be able to find out more about traditional Malay games, musical instruments and traditional costume.

Sarawak is a multiracial state in East Malaysia with diverse cultures and traditions. Sarawak's richness in ethnic makeup, culture, and language is reflected through the uniqueness of its ethnic dances. These traditional dances are often enjoyed during the festive season in Sarawak. Each of these dances has its own folktale and essential element connected to the ethnicity they represent. 

To name a few, this programme will be presenting Joget-Malay Dance, Ngajat Iban-Warrior Dance, Melanau Dance-Alu-alu, Bidayuh Dance-Rejang B’uh, Orang Ulu Dance-Kanjet Ngeleput, and Tarian Rampai-Medley Dance. The dances will be accompanied by music performed on instruments such as Gong, Tawak, and Sape.

While enjoying this special and unique performance, a sharing session related to performing arts and traditional Sarawak costumes will be delivered by the Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Arts Council, Puan Dayang Mariana Abang Bolhassan, who has more than 30 years’ experience as an artist and performer.

The musicians for the event are all full-time instructors at Sarawak Arts Council, and so combine their love of music in performance and teaching. The dancers are all from Sarawak, on their first visit to the UK, and range in age from 12  to 15. The are all students of traditional dance and performing arts of Sarawak.

Contact

• Organiser: Sultan Idris Education University and Sarawak Art Council in collaboration with SOAS Centre of South East Asian Studies
• Email: centres@soas.ac.uk