Chua (second right) and the delegation before boarding the flight to Taiwan yesterday.
KOTA KINABALU: The dance troupe from KDCA will be representing Malaysia at the 3rd Global Indigenous Peoples Performing Arts Festival in Taiwan which will be held from July 29 to August 8.
They will be performing three dances, namely, the ‘Huminodun’ (Legend of Kadazandusun), the ‘Magunatip’ (Murut Warrior Dance) and the ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’ which showcases the diversity of Malaysia’s culture.
The delegation from Malaysia is headed by Malaysia-Taiwan Trade and Economic Association (Culture Bureau) director Datuk Chua Soon Bui.
Speaking to reporters before the delegation’s departure yesterday, Chua said that this is the first time Malaysia has been invited to participate in the event. She disclosed that the main organizers from Malaysia to coordinate with the Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Council are the Yayasan Kesenian Orang Asli and Malaysia-Taiwan Trade and Economic Association (Culture Bureau).
“We also have the support of the Malaysia Tourism Board and Sabah Tourism Board,” said Chua, who is also Yayasan Kesenian Orang Asli secretary.
“We are privileged to be invited to the global event to showcase to the world the music and dances of KadazanDusun Murut community from Sabah as well as the cultural diversity of Malaysia,” she added.
According to Chua, Malaysia is among the nine countries in the event. The others are host Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, USA (Hawaii), Chile, Fiji, Tahiti and Swaziland.
Chua stressed that the event is an opportunity for cultural exchange and integration among the participants.
“Cultural values and heritage should be preserved for the benefit of future generations as this will ensure the continuity of each indigenous peoples’ identity. It will also be interesting to learn about the similarities among the Austranesian indigenous groups,” she said, adding that this is an opportunity to build friendship and strengthen bonds for a peaceful world.
The delegation hopes to promote Malaysia as an indigenous peoples tourism destination in view of the high number of indigenous groups and cultural diversity in the country.