KUCHING: Over 20 students from Kyrgyzstan were proud to showcase their culture during the recent Unimas International Festival 2013.
Among them was International Relations studies student Dastan Shermamatov, who was excited to show his country’s traditional costume to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs and alumni) Professor Mohd Fadzil Abadul Rahman.
“I love the country and the people here and I can adapt myself well except for the humidity,” he told The Borneo Post.
“This festival, even though small, is the best way for everyone to share and appreciate the culture, food and traditions of various countries without even the need to travel out of Kuching.”
Shermamatov hoped more students from his country would come to Unimas as environment is conducive for studying and cost of living is relatively low.
Fellow Kyrgyzstani student Eldiiar Mirlanov, who is in his third year of International Relations studies, demonstrated how to play the ooz komuz — a small mouth harp used in traditional folk music. Kyrgyzstan, officially known as the Kyrgyz Republic, is a country located in Central Asia.
The country is landlocked and mountainous, and is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the southwest and China to the east.
It was part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) prior to gaining independence in 1991.
The Unimas festival, which showcased the food, clothing and arts of more than 10 countries, was also open to the public.
Unimas has over 400 foreign students from 48 countries.