40 attend first dance workshop

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Wences with 40 participants of the first Sabah Cultural Board dance workshop.

Wences with 40 participants of the first Sabah Cultural Board dance workshop.

KOTA KINABALU: In an effort to uphold and preserve the traditions of Sabah’s various ethnic groups, the Sabah State Cultural Board (LKNS) held its very first dance training workshop which ended yesterday.

With the support of the Sabah Human Resources Development Department (JPSM) and the National Department for Culture and Arts (JKKN) Sabah, 40 participants from 20 ethnic groups participated in the three-day workshop.

They received a certificate of recognition, which will enable them to teach dancing, music, sewing or traditional woven art.

LKNS chairman, Tan Sri Wences Angang, hoped that the now certified participants would pass on their knowledge and skills to future trainers and coaches, through their own training programmes.

Thus, the traditions of each ethnic group would be passed on to ensure its continuation and survival, he added.

He also said that with trainers within their own ethnic groups, he was confident that the richness of each culture would be preserved and further strengthened.

“As we know, Sabah comprises not less than 40 ethnic groups that are rich in its own diversity and uniqueness such as folk games, traditional food and handicrafts, and each Sabahan ethnic group has its own abilities and skills to be appreciated by the public.

“However, their skills have not received adequate recognition from relevant parties. This initiative will give participants the confidence and motivation to become coaches of high calibre,” he said.

Wences said that the workshop was organised specifically for members of ethnic groups representing their own association or group, adding that it was also aimed at helping participants fulfill the requirements to become a certified trainer, so that they can become experts in their field.

Also present during yesterday’s event was JPSM director Billy Yumbod and LKNS general manager William Baya.