The Ambulung

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this working paper is to introduce our culture contemporary dance in Sabah and Sarawak.

2.0 Background

Malaysia’s multi-cultural and multi racial heritage is most prominently exhibited in its diverse music and dance forms. The dances of the indigenous Malay, Orang Asli and different ethnic peoples of Sabah and Sarawak are truly exotic and enchanting. As the Chinese, Indians and Portuguese settled in Malaysia, the traditional dances of their homelands become a part of Malaysia’s culture and heritage.

3.0 Introduction

3.1 Ngajat

It is known as “The Warrior Dance” of Iban Ngajat. This fearsome Sarawak warrior dances the Iban Ngajat, a homecoming dance performed by male warriors upon returning to the village after fighting battles.

3.2 Magunatip

Magunatip is a dance performed by the indigenous peoples of the interiors of Sabah, including the Kadazan Dusun of Tambunan, the Kwijau Dusun of Keningau and many of the Murut groups. Magunatip is derived from the word atip meaning ‘to press between two surfaces’. Magunatip dancers need great skill and agility to dance among the bamboo poles, which are hit together to produce the rhythm of the dance. It is a dance of happiness performed at social occasions and the honour distinguished guests.

3.3 Sumazau
Sumazau is a traditional dance of Sabah's Kadazan people. Usually performed at religious ceremonies and social events, it is traditionally used to honour spirits for bountiful paddy harvests, ward off evil spirits and cure illnesses. Male and female dancers perform this steady hypnotic dance with soft and slow movements imitating birds in flight.

3.4 Bamboo Dance

Another highly popular and entertaining traditional dance is Bamboo Dance. Two long bamboo poles are held horizontally above the ground at ankle-height. They are clapped together to a high-tempo drumbeat. Requiring great agility, dancers are required to jump over or between the poles without getting their feet caught.

3.5 Daling-Daling

Daling-Daling is performed by the Suluk people who have settled on the east coast of Sabah. The name is said to have been derived from the English word ‘Darling’. Male and female dancers dance in pairs and this dance is characterized by the backward-wave fingers movements of the women wearing long spiked brass finger caps called janggai. They also wear the kantiu trousers and the malkota head piece. The dancers perform to music played on a wooden xylophone known as gabang (gabbang), and a voilin, and accompanied by singing, either by a soloist or a chorus of four or more.


3.6 Fire Eater

A fire eater is an entertainer, often a street artist or part of a sideshow. The performer places flaming objects into their mouth and extinguishes them. They also practice controlling and transferring the flame. The fire eating as follows:-

Vapor tricks

• Vapor tricks utilize the fuel vapors held in the mouth during or before an extinguish.
• Cigarette light - light a cigarette with a Human Candle
• Human candle - slowly feed a candle sized flame with vapors you hold
• Vapor transfer - ignite one torch with the vapor from another
• Volcano - shoot vapors straight up

Transfers

Transfers are methods of moving a flame from one area to another, by using the body, or another surface or medium.
• Body transfers - transfer the flame from one torch to the other with other parts of your body, e.g. arm, leg, chest, buttocks, etc.
• Finger transfer - transfer the flame from one torch to the other with your finger
• Fire floor transfer - transfer the flame from one torch to the other on the floor
• Palm transfer - transfer the flame from one torch to the other with your palm
• Spit transfer - spit the fire from one torch to the other during an eat
• Tongue transfer - transfer the flame from one torch to the other with your tongue
• Toss transfer extinguish - puts out one torch, while making the flame "jump" to the other torch
• Torch in teeth hold - hold a lit torch in your teeth

Extinguishes

Extinguishes are methods of extinguishing torches, and are the traditional hallmark of fire eating.
• Double fire eat - basic fire eat with 2 torches at once
• Extinguish fire on palm
• Flaming cotton ball extinguish - put out a cotton ball as you would a torch
• Hand snuff of torch - put the torch out by snuffing it with your hand
• In-mouth extinguish - basic fire eat with 1 torch
• Triple fire eat - three torches at once
• Toss extinguish - pull the torch down out of the flame to extinguish it

4.0 THE TEAM BACKGROUND

The team is well known as “THE AMBULUNG ”. It was established on 06.05.2001. The team is consists of 6 members and respectively came from Sabah. They had their performance previously at A’ Famosa, Melacca and they were acted as a “fire eater’ dancers for about 3 years. Right after that, they were assigned under contract at Singapore Safari Night as a culture dancer for about 2 and half years (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ_owxpAR2s) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRdRO30VlsU). Apart from that, they did their performance all over in Klang Valley areas and Peninsular Malaysia.
Besides performing the cultural dances, they do have great interests in the modern dances. The dances which they are talented in are listed as follows:

i) Hip-Hop
ii) Jazz
iii) Mambo
iv) Free style ( Fire Eater)

Solo performances showcasing can also be arranged upon request. Not to deny that our team is specializing in a variety of functions Private and Corporate events Launches, Recordings, Concerts, Weddings, Dinners, etc.
Rest assured that our High Standard, Professionalism and Quality will be delivered at a compatible yet reasonable rate. Should you have any enquiries or require further information, kindly contact me Achid Contact No: 0133103677 or through e-mail at achid_ameerqita@yahoo.com.