Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF) 2010 - Peace Through Culture

Everyone in the office seems to be busy with their own things today. I, in the other hand, am a bit free since I have settled my work when I arrive at the office early in this morning. With nothing to do, I decided to upload some of the photos I took this weekend.

So ok, I was at the 5^th Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF) last night, an annual event organized by the Sabah Tourism Board as a means to promote, preserve and develop traditions and cultures both the national and international region. The first SIFF was in year 2001 and was organised in conjunction with the Colours of Malaysia Month and Kaamatan Festival, a harvest fiesta by the largest ethnic group in Sabah namely the Kadazandusuns. So please take your time to glance at these photos. It's a bit crowdy this time but I guess it's okay. After all, a picture speaks a thousand words :)

Egypt

Indonesia

India - These girls are all under the age of 12 years old and you guys know how tricky it is to learn the Indian Folklore dances

Latvia

The Republic Of The Philippines - I find this dance similar to the Magunatip of the Murut

Romania

Saudi Arabia

Taiwan - The winner of the 5th SIFF, 2010

Thailand

I personally love the performance by this particular group. These dancesr are actually from the Bundit Pattanasilpa Institute, one of the many formal institute to preserve the traditions and cultures of the Thais.

Uzbekistan

People Republic of China

Singapore

Kazakhstan

Special performance from Saudi Arabia

From one layer of 'skirt' till the 4th one. The guy kept on spinning from the beginning of the dance until the end.

Curtain call performance by the Sabah Cultural Dancers

The Combined Drum Performance

I realized that both younger generations and the more mature dancers, I would preferably call it, took the stage with passion and love for the dance of their countries. I used to dance before and I could feel the excitement to have become the little ambassadors for each respective countries. Although I only managed to attend the finale of SIFF, it refreshed my mind on how I miss dancing and being able to present different dances as a mean to preserve the tradition.

Peace Through Culture. I rest my case.