3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Sabah school wins international folk dance competition in Turkiye
KOTA KINABALU: SMJK Chung Hwa has earned Sabah international recognition after winning the overall championship at the 26th International Istanbul HarmanFolk Folk-Dance Music Festival and Competition in Turkiye.
The group of students from Tenom, about a three-hour drive from here, impressed judges and audiences alike with their energetic and precise performance of the Magunatip, a traditional bamboo dance of the Murut community.
Held from May 29 to June 1 in Istanbul, the competition featured 14 teams from various countries.
The team also took home the Best Performance Award, beating last year's champions from Russia.
The school's cultural coach, Siti Faridah Lawadin, said the win was not only for the school, but a moment of pride for Sabah and Malaysia.
"The students' commitment and discipline made this possible," she said in a statement.
The Magunatip is a physically demanding dance requiring agility and coordination as dancers leap between clapping bamboo poles.
Siti Faridah said the performance was the result of months of training and strong community support.
"Our traditional arts deserve a place on the global stage.
"I hope this inspires more young people to value and preserve our heritage," she added.
The delegation, led by contingent head Irene Josie Sambang, returned to Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 1am today.
They were welcomed by representatives from the Sabah Education Department, Tenom District Education Office, school board members, alumni, and parents.
