AKYBMS to premiere dance on Sarawak Malay civilisation
KUCHING: Amanah Khairat Warisan Budaya Melayu Sarawak (AKYBMS) is premiering the Kembara Datu MarapatiRaja Negeri Santubong Dance Theatre performance on July 22, in conjunction with the Sarawak Day celebration.
AKYBMS general manager, Datu Sanib Said, said the performance will include elements of the Malay Islamic Royal tradition, the Sarawak Malay civilisation, the traditional Malay poetry, the Sarawak Malay dance art, and silat.
“Once editing is completed, we will upload it via AKYBMS’ Youtube and Facebook on July 22 in conjunction with Sarawak Day this year,” he told a press conference at AKYBMS office yesterday.
He said the theatre was organised in collaboration with government and nongovernmental agencies, as well as several interested individuals.
“We received assistance from the Sarawak Government, especially from the Ministry of Youth and Sports during the Covid-19 pandemic so that cultural activities can be carried out via social media.”
Meanwhile, AKYBMS Board of Trustees member Datuk Abdul Wahab Aziz said the theatre performance is centred around the Sarawak Malay Rulers’ Palace culture as well as the diversity of Sarawak’s Malay culture.
“The target groups of the theatre performance are the local Malay community, especially the young generation of Sarawak Malays as well as school and university students, and domestic and foreign tourists,” said Abdul Wahab.
This theatre is part of AKYBMS’ effort in showcasing the Sarawak Malay civilisation to the public, especially the younger generation, thus establishing good relations with the local community, he added.
He explained that the understanding of Malay art and culture among the younger generation is relatively lacking, therefore AKYBMS wants to highlight Sarawak Malay culture to this group.
“We want our young people to know the background of Sarawak Malay history by showcasing it through the Kembara Dance Theatre of Datu Marapati Raja Negeri Santubong performance.
“This is because, if we do not know the background of our culture, misunderstanding will arise.
“This effort is not for us to highlight the strength of a culture, but to instil the nature (sic) and know how Malays came to Sarawak, settled in Sarawak and form the government in Sarawak,” he explained.
Therefore, it is the goal of AKYBMS to strengthen ties with other races and foster harmony and unity so that Sarawak can progress in the future, he said.