BY AWANG MUHAMMAD SYAHMI
KUCHING: The rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros), also called locally as kenyalang, is a significant bird in Sarawak’s native cultures. It also serves as the state’s crest.
The Dayaks regard these majestic birds as being emblematic of the spirit of God, hence are essential symbols which have been incorporated into their art, ceremonial attire and dance.
It is also thought that seeing a hornbill flying over a house is a sign of impending good fortune.
Nanyang Wushu Federation of Sarawak chairman, Professor Dr Song Swee Hee, is now taking the myths behind the bird to the next level, by incorporating martial arts with a hornbill dance he has created, the idea being to entrench it in culture.
“I am aiming to introduce this dance to the various celebrations in Malaysia such as Christmas, Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Hari Gawai, Deepavali,even birthdays and wedding functions as well as welcoming ceremonies for tourism and business opening events.
“The hornbill dance will be a new blend of culture for the harmonious multi-racial society in Sarawak,” Swee said.
According to him it is performed by six dancers holding hornbill sculptures.
“There will ten steps to the hornbill dance and the dance will last four to five minutes.
“The dance is accompanied by sape music and will be backed by drums. We’ll be utilising a pre-recorded sape, but perhaps next time we’ll try to use our own music instead of the pre-recorded ones,” he said.
Swee said the hornbill dance will be performed by his own students from the Nanyang Wushu Federation and will consist of students from different races.
“We are now practising twice a week for the hornbill dance, and we currently have six permanent teams ready to perform at the forthcoming Hari Raya festival, as well as four additional dance teams in the works.
“The students taking part in the dance are from both primary and secondary school.”
For the upcoming Hari Raya celebration, Swee said he expected there will be at least five presentations of the hornbill dance.
“If possible, I would like to eventually see this hornbill dance becoming a welcoming routine for tourists and VIPs from other countries,” he added.
