Zooming in on East Coast tribes
Published on: Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Only Sabah has the ethnic diversity that is matched by unusually open traditional ethnic tolerance to throw a fest every year to celebrate specific cultural features of its divergent tribes.Sabah Fest 2015 zooms in on the word "Agop" – the common term of the three East Coast indigenous tribes –- the Orang Sungei (River folks) of Kinabatangan and two much lesser known minority tribes – Dusun Subpan and Dusun Begak, both found in Lahad Datu. A timely focus both physically and ethnically because the East Coast of Sabah is rich in limestone caves of great size. ADVERTISEMENT Famous among them are the 100-foot high chambers of Gomantong in lower Kinabatangan fold plains, the Baturung caves said to be part of a 22km massif near Lahad Datu, which features spectacular cliff faces soaring hundreds of vertical feet and Madai Caves of Kunak.Given the mix bag of awesome, may be intimidating, eerie , haunting, gloomy, chilling, creepy emotions generated inside these huge vaults, it's no surprise these unique geological landmarks had influenced the life, culture, beliefs, rituals and folks tales of eastern Sabah tribes living around these great caves.Cultural influence aside, the great caves have long been pragmatic livelihood epi-centres for some of the key indigenous east coast tribes, as what they are famous for the edible bird's nests built high in the crevices of cave roofs more than 100-foot high above the cave floors.So, Agop, this year's theme for the cultural extravaganza from May 1-3 will be staged in story telling form through the dances to highlight the importance of caves to the life and history of eastern Sabahans. ADVERTISEMENT So, Biluk, a traditional dance of the Dusun Begak who hail from Tungku, Lahad Datu, will be taken to stage.
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The Biluk dance is usually performed during the ceremonial delivery of intent to marry, or at the wedding itself and other festivities and also to welcome dignitaries. It is usually performed by a male dancer, accompanied by his family members as a sign of respect.If the lead dancer is a significant figure or leader, he is accompanied by 10 or more dancers.The more dancers, the merrier the ceremony. The accompanying traditional music traditional music is called Lubok-lubok, which comprises the kulintangan (small brass gongs), gongs and a traditional drum called tambur.The shows, starting at 8pm, will be staged at the JKNNs Auditorium Complex, Jalan Penampang. Dances of other ethnic groups featured will include the Ida'an of Lahad Datu, Tidong of Tawau, Dusun Melangkap, Kota Belud and Dusun Sandayoh of Paitan - considered the poorest region in Sabah.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Tickets are priced RM50 or call Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd – producers of the Sabah Fest Cultural Extravaganza.The contact person is Francesca Lydia Chipli (tel No. 6088-232121.)