A slice of past and present Borneo

Ahead of Gawai and Kaamatan festivities, The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat presents KonTra : Borneo. Celebrating the culture, the people and the stories of the world’s third largest island, the dance show will take place from 4th until 7th May 2023 at Pentas 2, klpac. 

A land of unparalleled beauty and ancient rainforests, there is a wealth of culture and traditions there which serves as the source of inspiration for Zhafir Muzani’s third installment of this experimental dance series. Growing up in the small port town of Lahad Datu, Zhafir dreamt of showcasing a slice of Borneo through a fusion of contemporary dance. 

KonTra : Borneo is not your typical traditional cultural showcase. It will be presenting six new dance works, bridging our past and future, by a contingent of five talented choreographers from East Malaysia along with one more from Peninsular Malaysia. 

Stories have been a powerful tool to pass down cultural values and beliefs in Borneo and to connect its people to the land as a reminder to respect the environment. 

One will be able to experience this in Yunnus Enn’s “RUAI” which refers to the great argus, a species of pheasant celebrated by the Iban of Sarawak as well as Andrew Igai Jamu “Dataika Dinihari” (Till Dawn) which draws on the intricate hand and body movements of female bards ‘lemambang sabak’ in the Dayak-Iban dirge called ‘sabak bebuah’. Meanwhile Fauzi Amirudin’s “TOMBIRUO” was inspired by Ramlee Awang

Mursyid’s novel which is set in the forests of Keningau and a young man believed to be the caretaker of the forest. 

Borneo traditional dance is known for their expressive and flowing movements. Hafzal Aziz’s “Nopeng ” incorporates ‘nopeng’ or ‘tandak’, one of the main aspects of bergendang, traditional performing arts of Melayu Sarawak, which is performed in pairs. Sabah dances like Magunatip and Sumazau are known for its bounce-like motion and you will see some of this motion in Jabar Laura’s “Selasih di kanan”, which explores the theme of friendship, and Ethel Deidre’s “Don’t Slam The Door”, which highlights the stateless community in Sabah. 

With its colourful costumes and diverse dance styles, KonTra : Borneo is an opportunity to get to know the people of Borneo, its culture as well as their past and present stories better. 

Tickets are priced at RM50. Students can enjoy a 40% discount (limited offer only) while Eslite Malaysia White Card Members, Tiffin at The Yard & Yamatatsu customers can enjoy 5% off and Eslite Malaysia Gold/ Black Card Members can enjoy 10% off.

Purchase tickets online via https://bit.ly/kontraborneo. Visit www.klpac.org, or WhatsApp +6018 227 7212 for more information. Zhafir Muzani will also be running free trial classes – Jom Menari: Malay Traditional Dance (3pm – 3.45pm, 8 – 15 year olds) and Contemporary Dance (4pm – 4.45pm, 16 years old & above) on 30 April ahead of the actual classes.