Monday, February 7, 2011

Bidayuh Traditional Dance (Ritual Dance)

Ritual dance has always been associated with every culture in the world. It is performed to worship spirits and several other functions. Each body move and gesture are important to deliver messages which cannot be spoken in ordinary words.
                In Bidayuh tradition, they are several ritual dances which serve as a mean to bring goodness in their lives. In ancient times, the Bidayuh believed that the world was being inhibited by good and bad spirits. These spirits were believed to cause disaster and hardship if they were being disturbed. To ensure their safety, the ritual dance was performed as a medium to communicate with the spirits. There are eight types of ritual dances namely langi julang, nguguoh or simutur, tulak bala, rejang nyijikau bayang, wek jongan, langi nantang sirige? - purom, nantang julang sambuh and rejang padi or ngirindang.

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