KOTA KINABALU: The dazzling Murut’s magunatip dance captivated the international audience as it emerged overall champion at the 26th International Istanbul Folk-Dance Music Festival.
The event held in Istanbul, Turkiye from May 29 to June 1, saw the dancers from SMJK Chung Hwa, Tenom, beat 13 other teams from various countries.
Their success was further cemented with another notable achievement, winning the best performance award.
The school’s cultural coach, Siti Faridah Lawadin, attributed this success to the students’ hard work, along with strong support from the school and the community.
“This not only elevated the name of the school and Sabah, but also showcased our traditional arts on the world stage,” she said.
She added that this participation served as an important platform to uplift local culture to the international level, as well as instil a sense of pride among the younger generation to continue preserving and inheriting traditional art.
The powerful performance had indirectly strengthened diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Türkiye through cultural and heritage exchange, while highlighting Sabah as one of the most active states in promoting its ethnic cultures on the global front.
The delegation led by Irene Josie Sambang arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport yesterday were welcomed by representatives from the Sabah Education Department, Tenom District Education Officer, school board members, alumni, Principal Oou Chu Suan as well as representatives from the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG). – Wu Vuide
