Latest news with #AlenaMurang
Daily Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
Crocker Range Festival set to return June 26
Published on: Thursday, June 05, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 05, 2025 Text Size: Festival organising chairman Rafie Robert said the initiative aims to provide a free and inclusive experience for all visitors, strengthening intergenerational ties and community spirit. KENINGAU: The Crocker Range Festival (TCRF) is set to return for its 8th season with a vibrant four-day celebration from June 26 to 29 at Dataran Keningau, featuring a dynamic mix of cultural showcases and community programmes. The event is expected to draw both local and national attention, especially from tourists and culture enthusiasts, with its focus on celebrating the rich ethnic heritage of Sabah's interior. Advertisement This year's festival will include traditional performances, craft competitions, ethnic sports, and highlight programmes such as the popular Miss & Mister Crocker Range pageant and an exhibition of local products. New to this year's edition are three added components – the Sabah Cultural Fiesta, Keningau Youth Fiesta, and Kids Fiesta. Festival organising chairman Rafie Robert said the initiative aims to provide a free and inclusive experience for all visitors, strengthening intergenerational ties and community spirit. 'An exclusive performance by two acclaimed local ethnic artistes, Alena Murang and Belle Sisoski, is set to be one of the main highlights of the event, with both expected to captivate the audience through traditional music that celebrates and elevates Borneo's rich cultural heritage. 'We are excited to carry forward the legacy of TCRF as a platform to celebrate our culture and foster community unity. Having incredible talents like Alena and Belle join us will add depth to the cultural experience,' Rafie said. He added that the festival also offers a meaningful opportunity for local entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their products directly to the public, contributing to rural economic growth. TCRF 2025, he said, is more than a cultural celebration – it is aligned with the State Government's vision of strengthening tourism as a key driver of economic development under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) Development Plan. 'This is a holistic effort to enhance tourism, preserve cultural identity and boost the local economy,' he said. The public is encouraged to attend and experience the vibrant cultural diversity of Sabah during the event. For more information, visit the festival's official Facebook page at or contact the organising secretariat at 019-8523303. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Celebrate Kaamatan and Gawai in the Klang Valley
Going home to celebrate the harvest festival may not be feasible for most Sabahans and Sarawakians residing in Peninsular Malaysia. If this applies to you, fret not, you can still celebrate by partaking in these events that are happening in the Klang Valley throughout May and June. Taking place this weekend in Kuala Lumpur is the Borneo Native Festival (BNF). Both Sabah's Kaamatan festival and Sarawak's Gawai Dayak, the Bornean states' respective harvest festivals, are the focus of the event. Now in its fourth year, the 2025 edition of BNF will run from May 23 to May 25. It will be held at Central Market from 10am to 10pm throughout the three days. Different activities are scheduled for each day, including Borneo craft workshops, music performances and traditional food demo. The Borneo Beatz Concert will bring the festivities to a close on the final day, with performances by the likes of Alena Murang, At Adau, Belle Sisoski and Tompuvan. If you are not from either state, your visit to the festival will give you the chance to experience the diverse cultures and traditions of Sabah and Sarawak. More merriment If you're a Sabahan craving for homecooked meals, or you just want a taste of the state's traditional cuisines, satiate your hunger at the Sabah Kaamatan Buffet by Ibis Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Currently taking place at the hotel's Kampung Kitchen Buffet Restaurant until May 31, the buffet features a spread consisting of Sabah's traditional dishes such as hinava (raw fish salad), ambuyat (sticky sago) and linopot (leaf-wrapped rice). Savour Sabahan traditional food at the Sabah Kaamatan Buffet at Ibis KLCC. — Photos: FLOREY D. MIKIL/The Star Sabah Kaamatan Buffet offers authentic Sabahan dishes. Ensuring authenticity, all ingredients are sourced from Sabah itself by chef Sandra Paut. This marks the third year in a row that the Kadazandusun chef, from My Native Sabah Restaurant in Kota Kinabalu, is flown in to curate the menu. Sarawakians will also get a chance to savour their traditional dishes in June, as the hotel will be introducing its inaugural Sarawak-focused buffet early next month. Speaking of Sarawak, since the state known for its traditional drink tuak, several joints in KL will be holding special events featuring the drink. Among these is Nest13 Bar & Lounge in Petaling Jaya. You can grab some tuak cocktails at the rooftop bar during its Gawai Kaamatan Party Night on May 24. The event will feature traditional games and performances, as well as a live band, a best dressed contest and lucky draw sessions. If you missed the party this weekend, you can head instead to Pisco Bar in KL on May 29. The bar's Gawai Kaamatan Festival will kick off at 8pm, featuring traditional dancing, games and, of course, plenty of tuak. Havana Bar & Grill in KL will also hold its own Gawai Kaamatan Festival, happening on June 8. Partying isn't your scene? Perhaps you'll be more interested in the Kuala Lumpur Borneo Half Marathon 2025. Entering its second year, the marathon runs on June 1 at Dataran Merdeka. Registration closes on May 28, check here for details.
Borneo Post
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Alena Murang's latest single released in connection with World Biodiversity Day
Alena says through her music, she is inviting the listeners to remember the wisdom passed down by the indigenous communities, that is to live in a balance with the land. KUCHING (May 19): Alena Murang has released her new single, 'Jaga Alam', in connection with World Biodiversity Day and also the upcoming Gawai Dayak festivities. The musician and cultural guardian, in a statement yesterday, hailed the number as 'a heartfelt call to protect the Earth's forests, and all forms of life calling it home'. The single 'Jaga Alam', which means 'taking care of nature' in Bahasa Malaysia, is sung in the national language, but there is a special line among the verses that is sung in Alena's native Kelabit language. 'Through my music, I invite the listeners to remember the wisdom passed down by the indigenous communities, that is to live in a balance with the land. 'In my Kelabit culture, nature is not something separate from us – it is a part of who we are. 'Caring for the land is also a central part of Gawai celebration, which is to give thanks for the rice harvest. 'This song is a gentle reminder that nature will always take care of us, if we take care of it,' said the artiste, also a sape' player. Adding on, Alena also described the new song as 'a blend of the meditative tones of the sape' with simple yet powerful lyrics, echoing a message of respect and responsibility towards nature'. 'With this release, I hope to contribute not only through music, but also by raising awareness of indigenous perspectives on conservation and their love for the land.' As one of the few female sape' players in the world and a voice for her community, Alena continues to use music as a bridge between worlds – past and present, nature and people, as well as tradition and change. 'The World Biodiversity Day, celebrated on May 22 each year, is a global reminder of how connected we are to the natural world, whilst Gawai is a day to be grateful for the food that nature gives us,' she added. The music video can be viewed on YouTube, and the audio is available on Spotify and Apple Music. Alena and Joshua Maran are credited as the songwriters, with the lyrics written by Alena. Alena Murang entertainment Gawai Dayak lead local artistes
Rakyat Post
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rakyat Post
‘'A Hornbill Is Not A Toucan' Man Educates Everyone About Gawai & Kaamatan Inaccuracies
Subscribe to our FREE With Kaamatan and Hari Gawai (Gawai Dayak) coming up soon, an Instagram user Sang Tukang (@sangtukang), an artisanal native crafter brand, has made a video to help clarify some cultural inaccuracies often seen during the promotion of these celebrations. Kaamatan and Hari Gawai (Gawai Dayak) are both harvest festivals but celebrated on different days. Kaamatan is celebrated in Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan on 30 and 31 May while Hari Gawai is observed by the Dayak people in Sarawak on 1 and 2 June. Since both festivals seem similar, it's common to see organisations and individuals use inaccurate images to depict both cultures. Here are some of the cultural inaccuracies that are often seen regarding both festivals: Hornbill vs Toucan The rhinoceros hornbill has a casque on its head while the toucan does not. For educational purposes. Image: eBird. The rhinoceros hornbill is native to Borneo, Sumatra, Java, Malaysia, Singapore, and southern Thailand. It's notable feature is the ''horn'' known as the casque on its head and its downturned bill. Sang Tukang pointed out that the image of a toucan is often used instead of a rhinoceros hornbill. Toucans are native to Southern Mexico, Central America, South America, and northern Argentina. Toucans do not have a casque but a large bill. READ MORE: READ MORE: Tontog vs Djembe Tontog has a cylindrical shape while the djembe has a wider top than its bottom. For educational purposes. Image: Rozannah Crafter/FB & Thomann. Tontog is a single-headed drum that's common in Sabah. It's also known as the gendang and is traditonally made from a hollowed-out log with a drumhead made of goatskin or cowhide. Due to this, the drum has an almost uniform cylindrical shape. The tontog is used in traditional music ensembles and cultural events and dances. Meanwhile, the djembe is a goblet-shaped West African drum. It's also carved from a single piece of wood with a goat skin drum head but it has a wider top than its bottom. The drums are also used in ceremonies, celebrations, and musical gatherings. Sape vs Pipa Alena Murang holds the sape on the left while the musician on the right holds the pipa. For educational purposes. Image: Alena Murang & Magnifissance. Sape is a traditional string instrument that's primarily found in Sarawak and often associated with the Kenyah people. The string instrument has two to four strings with a slim rectangular body. The modern sape can hold up to six strings. Singer and musician Alena Murang is known for performing with the sape and is recognised for her efforts to preserve and revive the traditional music of the Kelabit and Kenyah tribes. The sape is sometimes confused with the traditional Chinese string instrument known as the pipa. Unlike sape, pipa has a pear-shaped body and has four strings. The number of petals of a Rafflesia flower Image: @adriane_tobias, @Haziq_Escobar/Twitter Sang Tukang said the Rafflesia flower typically has five petals and no more than that. However, in the comments, another user informed him that a rare six-petal Rafflesia keithii was recently found. Rafflesia keithii is native to Sabah and typically blooms with six leathery red petals and can grow up to 80 cm in diameter. READ MORE: Rice paddy (padi) vs Wheat In another video, Sang Tukang pointed out how the wheat plant is often mistaken for the rice paddy plant. Instead of using an image of a rice paddy plant, organisations often use an image of a wheat plant. The mistake still happens today. It's what happens when we look for royalty free images online. The differences between the rice paddy plant and wheat plant. For educational purposes. Image: and The King Milling Company. At a glance, the rice paddy and wheat stalks look the same but there are slight differences upon closer scrutiny. The rice paddy panicles are thinner and looser than the wheat plant's kennel and head. Now that you can spot the differences, you can help others to fix the common inaccuracies so we can all represent our rich cultures properly. READ MORE: Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Borneo Post
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Alena Murang's latest single ‘Borneo Rain' out in time for Mother Earth Day
Alena says through her latest single, she aims to bring listeners back to the rainforest, showing that rain is not something to avoid but something that gives life to everything around us. KUCHING (April 23): Singer-songwriter and sape player Alena Murang has released her latest single, 'Borneo Rain' just in time for International Mother Earth Day. The song, now streaming on all major listening platforms, is sung in the Kelabit language, an endangered language spoken by fewer than 6,000 people from the highlands of Sarawak. Alongside it, Alena has also released the Malay and instrumental versions of 'Borneo Rain'. 'I aim to bring listeners back to the rainforest, showing that rain is not something to avoid but something that gives life to everything around us. 'Borneo Rain is a song that celebrates rain as a blessing – for the land, and in turn, for all of us. 'Growing up, I have learned through songs and stories from my elders that the rain isn't troublesome weather, but it's necessary for life. 'When the rain falls, it nourishes the earth, and that's something to be grateful for,' she said in a promotional release. According to Alena, Borneo is one of the wettest places on Earth, and home to some of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world. 'With this song, I hope listeners would feel both joy and a quiet sense of peace – the kind of calm we often find when we're truly immersed in nature.' The music video visualiser, released on Monday, features Alena wearing a 'Samit' — a traditional raincoat worn in the Kelabit Highlands, made from palm leaves and stitched by hand with bark cloth or pineapple fibre. The music video can be watched on YouTube. Alena Murang entertainment lead music rainforest
