KUCHING: Eight-year-old Dion Das Louis, who stole the limelight by clinching a gold medal at the final of the Malaysia Championship of Performing Arts, has captured the attention of Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Dubbed the “Little Borneo Birdie,” this pint-sized Sarawak cultural ambassador, accompanied by his father Louis Lansam and mother Edina Lanying, paid a courtesy call on Uggah recently to discuss their upcoming trip to Long Beach, California, for the 27th World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA 2024).
Louis, beaming with pride, said that the trip is scheduled for the end of June. Dion was selected to represent Malaysia after emerging victorious in the junior dance category at the national championship held in Kuala Lumpur last January.
“Dion showcased an ethnic contemporary dance, embodying the character of a little bird, hence earning the moniker ‘Little Borneo Birdie’ for his performance,” Louis shared after the courtesy call.
He further explained that Dion’s rendition of the traditional Dayak Iban “Ngajat” dance is a fusion of elements inspired by two majestic Borneo birds: the “Ruai,” or Great Malayan Argus pheasant and the “Kenyalang,” or the Hornbill.
Louis said his son, a Year Two pupil at Sekolah Kebangsaan Green Road here, possesses a natural talent for performing the Ngajat.
“I believe he inherited it from his maternal grandfather, who was also a skilled Ngajat dancer from Nanga Entabai in Pakan, Sarikei Division,” added his mother.
Proud parents Louis and Edina will accompany Dion to the championships, scheduled for July 1-5, with the medals presentation slated for the following day.
Meanwhile, Uggah expressed his delight at Dion’s participation in such a prestigious event.
“It’s heartening to see a youngster from our Sarawak community on the world stage,” he said.
