Introduction to Dancing

Author: Ann Sibang / Labels:

I have always loved to dance but never wanted to be a professional dancer. Somehow I ended up being one because, I mean a big BECAUSE, because I don't like sitting in an office and work from nine to five and saying yes sir or yes ma'am five and half days a week :). It is just so monotonous, dancing on the other hand is just perfect.

I was exposed to dancing in a very young age, as young as six years old. Not a typical dance you usually hear like ballet. My exposure was to our own tribal (Bidayuh) dance. There are various types of traditional dances, for example there are dances you only dance for ritual event, dances for the purpose of entertainment and many more. Somehow I was only familiar with two types of dances and there are Rejang Padi or Paddy Dance (ritual) and Rejang Beuh or Eagle Dance (entertainment). My favorite is Rejang Beuh because there are a lot of action (variation) going on and not to mention a catchy music that accompanied the dance. Talking about music, not only that we Bidayuh speaks different dialects due to location (areas) we are from, it very much influence the music too. One can tell where they are from by the sound of music they played. I guess that does not really matter because at the end of the day, Bidayuh is what we are and I am proud of it.

I was then performed mainly for our annual school event and some small event in our village. The training and rehearsal at times can be crucial. Our instructors always ready with a stick in their hand to make sure that our arms are up 45 degrees at all times or else (you know what I mean). When to think about it, it is kind of funny. I used to sulk when the stick landed on my arms but now I just laugh at it and in fact grateful because it is useful to me with the type of dancing I am into now.

I have high respect for our instructors, they are these most experience and influential old ladies and men of the village. Sadly some of them, actually most of them had passed on and there is no one to turn to if anyone were wanted to know more about our culture.


Anyway, I always get very excited each time we were given an assignment. Strange, I never really felt nervous before I get into stage but once I am up on stage thats when all my butterflies roaming around my stomach. That is why I never smile on stage. I tried each time but to no avail. I could literally feel the tremble around my lips when I try to smile. You can see how serious I looked on the picture attached.

After a few years, my dad put a stop to it because he wants me to concentrate on my studies, yeah right like that ever happened ;). But who in the right mind would say No to my dad anyway. I chose to be in a the right mind regardless how serious I am into my studies.