Abang Carrol (seated third left), Sahari (seated fourth left) and Mondari (seated third right) are seen with the other team members in their traditional costumes.
SIBU: Persatuan Kebajikan Melanau Kampung Nangka Sibu (PKMKNS) will perform at the 20th Rainforest World Music Festival in Damai, Kuching tomorrow (July 15).
Association secretary Mondari Manjat said the 30-strong team will hold a 45-minute performance on the traditional Seduan Melanau wedding ceremony, starting at 3pm, on the invitation of the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB).
“We are lucky enough to be selected, and thankful to advisor Datu Aloysius Dris for promoting our PKMKNS. It is really a big event and we never thought we could one day be part of this exciting world festival,” he told reporters here on Wednesday.
“Hopefully, our team will be successful not only for Seduan Melanau but for all Sibu folk and the state because there will be a lot of people coming from all over the world.”
He said the group will also play traditional musical instruments and perform dances.
Sahari Ubu, who handles ‘Hal Adat Kahwin dan Pikul Melanau Seduan’, said the team is well prepared and would give its best.
“This is very important for the Seduan Melanau and community of Sibu as a whole because this is the first time we are invited to perform in this world-class event. That is why we are really excited about it not only for our sake but the whole community of Sibu,” he said.
Contingent leader Abang Carrol Abang Dris said a 10-minute workshop has been incorporated into the performance.
He explained that the audience will be free to interact with performers and ask questions.
Mondari added the association will also be involved in the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) here from July 20-29.
“An Itut (swing) will be erected on July 18 and, weather permitting, we will perform beneath the Itut,” he said.