KUCHING: Friends of Sarawak Museum is presenting a special event that will include a lecture and performance on Oct 25.
The event, ‘A Woman’s Voice’, will be taking place from 10.30am to 12 noon at the Dewan Tun Abdul Razak (Sarawak Museum) Niah Room.
Entrance is free.
This presentation will be a unique opportunity to experience performance of a ‘lakuh’, a Kelabit song that provides a rare view on events from a woman’s perspective.
The song of Dayang provides an insight into the pre-Christian world of the Kelabits as she remembers the death feast of her late mother.
In order for such a feast to be possible, large amounts of ‘borak’ (rice wine) had to be brewed in precious Chinese jars.
The lavish hospitality of the host was a measure of the success of the feast.
However, Dayang’s husband over-extended his hospitality and Dayang was forced to give up her turquoise glass beads to obtain more rice, but by the end of the song Dayang emerges triumphant.