Sabah's largest ethnic group, the KadazanDusun and their traditional dance is called Sumazau which literally means 'dancing'. Sumazau is synonymous with festivities and celebrations such as weddings and especially the Pesta Kaamatan or Harvest Festival, which is a thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest of rice. The accompanying music is played by the sompogogungan ensemble consisting of six hanging gongs and a drum. The sumazau consists of two basic dance motifs. In the first motif, the dancer steps from side to side, shifting weight from one foot to the other, while gently swinging the arms at the sides in time to the music. In the second motif, the dancer raises the heels slightly, with arms raised. For men, the arms are stretched out at shoulder level with hands moving up and down. For women, the arms are also outstretched, but at a lower level.

This graceful dance of worship is the most popular in Terengganu. Ulek Mayang was performed as a healing ritual for fishermen who fall ill at sea or while carrying out their daily activities. Some illnesses were believed to be caused by sea spirits and could only be cured by calling upon the spirits of the sea and sending them back to the dark watery depths. In a ritual performance, some of the performers will fall into deep trance. The performance tells the tale of a sea princess who falls in love with a fisherman while he is at sea. The princess steals the fisherman’s soul, causing him to fall into a trance-like state of semi-consciousness. Once they are back on land, the fisherman’s friends ask a bomoh (traditional healer) to restore his semangat (spirit) and bring him back to health. The bomoh conducts a healing ritual for the fisherman using a mayang (coconut palm blossom), kemenyan (benzoin resin) and offerings of coloured rice. He summons the spirit of the sea-princess, who calls upon her five sisters to help seize the object of her desire. A tug-of-war ensues between the bomoh and the six princesses for the soul of the fishermen. Finally, the seventh and eldest princess arrives and sends her sisters back to sea with these words: “I know your origins, let those from the sea return to the sea, let those from the land return to the land.” She thus releases the soul of the fisherman and restores his health. Ulek Mayang is traditionally performed by seven female dancers, each dressed in an elaborate costume with a regal headdress and flowing yellow sash. Three to four male dancers perform the role of the fishermen and bomoh. The graceful gestures of the female dancers are reminiscent of the undulating movements of the sea. The dance is accompanied by a small music ensemble comprising a rebana (frame drum), accordion, and seruling (flute) or serunai (double-reed oboe). The contemporary version of the Ulek Mayang is performed in almost every formal state function and event.

This graceful dance of worship is the most popular in Terengganu. Ulek Mayang was performed as a healing ritual for fishermen who fall ill at sea or while carrying out their daily activities. Some illnesses were believed to be caused by sea spirits and could only be cured by calling upon the spirits of the sea and sending them back to the dark watery depths. In a ritual performance, some of the performers will fall into deep trance. The performance tells the tale of a sea princess who falls in love with a fisherman while he is at sea. The princess steals the fisherman’s soul, causing him to fall into a trance-like state of semi-consciousness. Once they are back on land, the fisherman’s friends ask a bomoh (traditional healer) to restore his semangat (spirit) and bring him back to health. The bomoh conducts a healing ritual for the fisherman using a mayang (coconut palm blossom), kemenyan (benzoin resin) and offerings of coloured rice. He summons the spirit of the sea-princess, who calls upon her five sisters to help seize the object of her desire. A tug-of-war ensues between the bomoh and the six princesses for the soul of the fishermen. Finally, the seventh and eldest princess arrives and sends her sisters back to sea with these words: “I know your origins, let those from the sea return to the sea, let those from the land return to the land.” She thus releases the soul of the fisherman and restores his health. Ulek Mayang is traditionally performed by seven female dancers, each dressed in an elaborate costume with a regal headdress and flowing yellow sash. Three to four male dancers perform the role of the fishermen and bomoh. The graceful gestures of the female dancers are reminiscent of the undulating movements of the sea. The dance is accompanied by a small music ensemble comprising a rebana (frame drum), accordion, and seruling (flute) or serunai (double-reed oboe). The contemporary version of the Ulek Mayang is performed in almost every formal state function and event.

The Batak tribe has a population of over 8 million, making it the largest indigenous community in Indonesia. They live in the area near Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake in Sumatra. ‘Tandok’ is the basket that Batak women fill with rice during harvest season to express gratitude to the gods. To the Bataks with a deep-rooted agrarian culture, tandok is a sacred symbol of the life and survival of the community. Embas Tandok is performed during a traditional Batak ritual where the tandok is brought over, usually by 4 female dancers. The dancers wear the traditional black and red Batak costume, and use the tandok, ulos (traditional handwoven textile in the shape of a long scarf), and a sarong. The dance is performed in a traditional stage to the music of a Gondang (traditional Sumatran music ensemble). Embas Tandok is an expression of the Batak people’s prayer for longevity, the unity of the family community, and respect for their ancestors on the occasion of the rice harvest.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙Danced by female dancers\n∙Originated from a ritual to give thanks for the rice harvest\n\nPerformed by Marwar Budaya Dance Atelier\nDirected by Maria Sofia Trimawarsanti\nChoreographed by Maria Sofia Trimawarsanti

The Batak tribe has a population of over 8 million, making it the largest indigenous community in Indonesia. They live in the area near Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake in Sumatra. ‘Tandok’ is the basket that Batak women fill with rice during harvest season to express gratitude to the gods. To the Bataks with a deep-rooted agrarian culture, tandok is a sacred symbol of the life and survival of the community. Embas Tandok is performed during a traditional Batak ritual where the tandok is brought over, usually by 4 female dancers. The dancers wear the traditional black and red Batak costume, and use the tandok, ulos (traditional handwoven textile in the shape of a long scarf), and a sarong. The dance is performed in a traditional stage to the music of a Gondang (traditional Sumatran music ensemble). Embas Tandok is an expression of the Batak people’s prayer for longevity, the unity of the family community, and respect for their ancestors on the occasion of the rice harvest.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙Danced by female dancers\n∙Originated from a ritual to give thanks for the rice harvest\n\nPerformed by Marwar Budaya Dance Atelier\nDirected by Maria Sofia Trimawarsanti\nChoreographed by Maria Sofia Trimawarsanti

The Batak tribe has a population of over 8 million, making it the largest indigenous community in Indonesia. They live in the area near Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake in Sumatra. ‘Tandok’ is the basket that Batak women fill with rice during harvest season to express gratitude to the gods. To the Bataks with a deep-rooted agrarian culture, tandok is a sacred symbol of the life and survival of the community. Embas Tandok is performed during a traditional Batak ritual where the tandok is brought over, usually by 4 female dancers. The dancers wear the traditional black and red Batak costume, and use the tandok, ulos (traditional handwoven textile in the shape of a long scarf), and a sarong. The dance is performed in a traditional stage to the music of a Gondang (traditional Sumatran music ensemble). Embas Tandok is an expression of the Batak people’s prayer for longevity, the unity of the family community, and respect for their ancestors on the occasion of the rice harvest.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙Danced by female dancers\n∙Originated from a ritual to give thanks for the rice harvest\n\nPerformed by Marwar Budaya Dance Atelier\nDirected by Maria Sofia Trimawarsanti\nChoreographed by Maria Sofia Trimawarsanti

The Batak tribe has a population of over 8 million, making it the largest indigenous community in Indonesia. They live in the area near Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake in Sumatra. ‘Tandok’ is the basket that Batak women fill with rice during harvest season to express gratitude to the gods. To the Bataks with a deep-rooted agrarian culture, tandok is a sacred symbol of the life and survival of the community. Embas Tandok is performed during a traditional Batak ritual where the tandok is brought over, usually by 4 female dancers. The dancers wear the traditional black and red Batak costume, and use the tandok, ulos (traditional handwoven textile in the shape of a long scarf), and a sarong. The dance is performed in a traditional stage to the music of a Gondang (traditional Sumatran music ensemble). Embas Tandok is an expression of the Batak people’s prayer for longevity, the unity of the family community, and respect for their ancestors on the occasion of the rice harvest.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙Danced by female dancers\n∙Originated from a ritual to give thanks for the rice harvest\n\nPerformed by Marwar Budaya Dance Atelier\nDirected by Maria Sofia Trimawarsanti\nChoreographed by Maria Sofia Trimawarsanti

The Batak tribe has a population of over 8 million, making it the largest indigenous community in Indonesia. They live in the area near Lake Toba, the world’s largest volcanic lake in Sumatra. ‘Tandok’ is the basket that Batak women fill with rice during harvest season to express gratitude to the gods. To the Bataks with a deep-rooted agrarian culture, tandok is a sacred symbol of the life and survival of the community. Embas Tandok is performed during a traditional Batak ritual where the tandok is brought over, usually by 4 female dancers. The dancers wear the traditional black and red Batak costume, and use the tandok, ulos (traditional handwoven textile in the shape of a long scarf), and a sarong. The dance is performed in a traditional stage to the music of a Gondang (traditional Sumatran music ensemble). Embas Tandok is an expression of the Batak people’s prayer for longevity, the unity of the family community, and respect for their ancestors on the occasion of the rice harvest.\n\nCharacteristics:\n∙Danced by female dancers\n∙Originated from a ritual to give thanks for the rice harvest\n\nPerformed by Marwar Budaya Dance Atelier\nDirected by Maria Sofia Trimawarsanti\nChoreographed by Maria Sofia Trimawarsanti

The kan is a traditional Thai instrument from the northeastern region of Isan, which can be played solo or as an accompanying instrument. During the reign of King Rama IV, playing the kan was prohibited in Bangkok due to concerns that it might surpass in popularity the traditional Thai ensemble music of the central region. The kan consists of bamboo pipes, a metal reed, and a wind chest (tao) made from the root of a hardwood tree. Today, efforts are being made to modernize the kan such as tuning it to the international standard pitch and forming ensembles alongside Western instruments.

The kan is a traditional Thai instrument from the northeastern region of Isan, which can be played solo or as an accompanying instrument. During the reign of King Rama IV, playing the kan was prohibited in Bangkok due to concerns that it might surpass in popularity the traditional Thai ensemble music of the central region. The kan consists of bamboo pipes, a metal reed, and a wind chest (tao) made from the root of a hardwood tree. Today, efforts are being made to modernize the kan such as tuning it to the international standard pitch and forming ensembles alongside Western instruments.

The kan is a traditional Thai instrument from the northeastern region of Isan, which can be played solo or as an accompanying instrument. During the reign of King Rama IV, playing the kan was prohibited in Bangkok due to concerns that it might surpass in popularity the traditional Thai ensemble music of the central region. The kan consists of bamboo pipes, a metal reed, and a wind chest (tao) made from the root of a hardwood tree. Today, efforts are being made to modernize the kan such as tuning it to the international standard pitch and forming ensembles alongside Western instruments.

The kan is a traditional Thai instrument from the northeastern region of Isan, which can be played solo or as an accompanying instrument. During the reign of King Rama IV, playing the kan was prohibited in Bangkok due to concerns that it might surpass in popularity the traditional Thai ensemble music of the central region. The kan consists of bamboo pipes, a metal reed, and a wind chest (tao) made from the root of a hardwood tree. Today, efforts are being made to modernize the kan such as tuning it to the international standard pitch and forming ensembles alongside Western instruments.