Latest news with #Magunatip
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
JKKN showcases Malaysian culture at Expo 2025 Osaka with traditional dances
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN) is making waves at Expo 2025 Osaka by presenting Malaysia's rich cultural heritage through vibrant traditional dance performances. More than just entertainment, these acts serve as a bridge for cultural diplomacy, strengthening ties between Malaysia and the global community while boosting the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign. Among the highlights are the Joget Lambak and Magunatip (bamboo dance), alongside a specially choreographed routine set to the Visit Malaysia 2026 theme song. These performances have captivated international audiences, with some visitors returning daily to learn the steps. 'The interactive segments see the entire audience joining in, proving that Malaysian art transcends language and cultural barriers,' JKKN said in a statement. Rayner Mailap, JKKN's official representative, credited the success to meticulous planning, including the selection of skilled dancers and well-crafted choreography. The dancers were chosen based on their discipline, versatility, and ability to engage audiences authentically. Nur Syahierah Mat Sapauwi, one of the performers, noted that traditional costumes, particularly the Murut tribe attire, drew significant admiration. Made from tree bark and adorned with bird feathers and beadwork, the outfit symbolizes Borneo's cultural pride. Mohammad Fazly Izwan Abd Rahman explained that Joget Lambak was selected for its lively and inclusive nature, making it easy for visitors to participate. The dance is a staple at Malaysian celebrations, fostering communal joy. JKKN emphasized that Expo 2025 Osaka is not just a stage but a space for creating lasting memories. 'With every dance move and applause, visitors express their appreciation for Malaysia's culture,' the department added.
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- 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.
Borneo Post
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Tenom school wins global acclaim with Magunatip dance in Türkiye
SMJK Chung Hwa, Tenom dance team arrive to a rousing welcome after their victorious outing in Istanbul, Türkiye. KOTA KINABALU (June 10): The cultural heritage of the Murut community brought pride to Sabah and Malaysia on the international stage when the Magunatip dance was performed with passion and professionalism at the 26th International Istanbul Harmanfolk Folk Dance-Music Festival/Competition in Türkiye recently. The captivating performance by talented students from Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (SMJK) Chung Hwa, Tenom, won the hearts of the international audience and led the team to clinch the overall championship, triumphing over 13 other teams from various countries, including previous champion Russia. In addition to securing the overall title, the team also bagged the Best Performance Award, cementing their status as one of the world's top-performing cultural dance teams. Dance team coach Siti Faridah Lawadin attributed the success to the students' relentless dedication and the unwavering support from the school and local community. 'They outperformed 13 other international teams and emerged as champions. This not only elevated the name of our school and state but also brought our traditional culture to the global stage,' she said in a statement. She added that the festival served as a vital platform for promoting local culture globally, while instilling pride and a sense of responsibility among youth to preserve traditional arts. The Magunatip dance, synonymous with the Murut community, requires agility and precise coordination. Dancers leap between clapping bamboo poles in rhythm — creating a performance that is visually striking while also reflecting discipline, strength and cultural richness. SMJK Chung Hwa Tenom's remarkable display drew thunderous applause from international spectators and cultural delegates in attendance. The participation also indirectly fostered stronger diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Türkiye through cultural exchange, while highlighting Sabah as one of Malaysia's most active states in global ethnic culture promotion. Meanwhile, the triumphant team, led by head of delegation Irene Josie Sambang, returned home to a hero's welcome just after midnight on June 10. Welcoming the team were representatives from the Sabah Education Department, Tenom District Education Office, school board members, alumni, SMJK Chung Hwa Principal Oou Chu Suan and her husband, as well as members of the Parent-Teacher Association. This international recognition stands as a testament to the unifying power of cultural heritage and its role in enhancing Malaysia's image on the world stage. Apart from the Magunatip dance, Malaysia's Tarian Kipas and traditional martial art pencak silat were also performed as part of the cultural showcase.
Daily Express
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Express
SMJK Chung Hwa Tenom's Magunatip dance brings glory to Sabah in Turkiye
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: SMJK Chung Hwa Tenom students showcased the Murut traditional Magunatip dance at the 26th International Istanbul HarmanFolk Folk-Dance Music Festival/Competition in Turkiye (29 May – 1 June), winning Overall Champion and Best Performance Award among 13 global teams. The dance, known for its agility and rhythmic bamboo clapping, impressed international audiences and highlighted Sabah's rich cultural heritage. The team also ended Russia's previous winning streak. Advertisement Culture coach Siti Faridah Lawadin credited the students' hard work and community support. The success not only promoted local tradition globally but also strengthened Malaysia–Turkiye ties through cultural diplomacy. The group returned to Sabah on 10 June and was warmly welcomed by education officials, school leaders, and the community. Other Malaysian heritage performances, including fan dance and silat, were also featured. * Read full report in tomorrow's print paper or log in or sign up for e-paper and premium online news access. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
03-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Over 6,000 came to Sabah during Kaamatan
Published on: Monday, June 02, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jun 02, 2025 By: Wu Vui Tek Text Size: Tiong and Haryanty (fourth left and right) together with the state tourism association chairmen celebrate the Kaamatan Festival at KKIA. Kota Kinabalu: Travellers trickled into the state's capital to take advantage of the long holidays in conjunction with the Kaamatan Festival celebration. Throughout the day, 27 flights arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA), bringing visitors from Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and destinations across Malaysia. 'These included an estimated 930 international and 4,933 domestic travellers, all of whom were welcomed with festive cheer and cultural experiences upon arrival,' said Tourism Malaysia Sabah Director Haryanty Abu Bakar at KKIA here. 'Malaysia celebrates the long weekend, starting with the festival of Kaamatan, Gawai, and also the birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. 'We celebrate with the cultural diversity of Sabah, including the Magunatip dance performance and sampling of traditional cuisines for the guests,' said Haryanty. The arriving travellers were presented with goodie bags as part of the campaign to promote Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who was among those arriving, performed the beating of a gong and witnessed a symbolic winnowing of rice. The winnowing was performed by Haryanty, KKIA Senior Airport Manager Jefry Ramli, Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Marketing Manager Bobby Alex, MATTA Sabah Deputy Chairman Alex Chong, Malaysia Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA) Sabah Chairman Vincent Sia, MyBHA Sabah Chairman Harold Chung, and Sabah Tourist Association (STA) Chairman Melanie Chu. Similar activities were held during Chinese New Year and Hari Raya, which also coincided with long holidays and contributed to the increase in arrivals during the holiday season, said Haryanty. She said Tourism Malaysia is collaborating with STB and the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment to encourage domestic tourism, not only focusing on Kota Kinabalu but also expanding to Kota Marudu, Kudat, and other attractive destinations. In addition, she said Sabah is also rich in cultural diversity, where festivals such as Kaamatan are also among the attractions to boost domestic tourism. She said the preparation for VMY 2026 is not only limited to physical tourism, but also on encouraging tourists to get to know the products and packages offered through online platforms. One of them is the cooperation between Tourism Malaysia and to offer special packages throughout the year to promote Malaysia digitally. The promotion campaign starts from April 2025 until February 2026 and will continue to enable tourists to access interesting packages via the digital platform, she said. According to statistics, she said the number of tourists will increase due to the rise in the number of flights. 'We hope that the number of international flights to Kota Kinabalu will increase,' she said. Malaysia's tourism sector continues to experience strong recovery and growth. In 2024, Malaysia welcomed 38 million international visitors – a 31.1 per cent increase from 2023 and 8.3 per cent above pre-pandemic 2019 levels. Visitor receipts also surged, generating RM106.78 billion, reflecting a substantial 43.7 per cent growth over 2023 and exceeding 2019 figures by 20 per cent. This positive trend has continued into early 2025, with the first four months recording 13.4 million visitor arrivals – a 21.0 per cent year-on-year increase. The top ten visitor-generating markets from January to April were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and the United Kingdom. * 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
