Borneo Night 2023

Borneo Night: The Pride and Joy of Sabahan and Sarawakian Students 

By Haifa Farzaana

GOMBAK, 20 March 2023: The Cultural Festival ended its week-long festivity with a night full of glitz and glam of Borneo culture which left many students in awe recently. The Cultural Festival was from 13 March 2023 to 17 March 2023.

According to Assistant Programme Coordinator and Choreographer, Puteri Fitriena Afyra, Borneo Night was the first event that truly showcased the Sarawakian and Sabahan culture to IIUM students. The said event was held at the Main Auditorium, IIUM Gombak campus at 8pm.

Puteri, who was seen clad in a traditional Bidayuh attire, said with a proud smile, “I feel so proud to show our culture to students of the peninsular as well as international students.”

Students proudly shared their outfits for the occasion. From left to right: Orang Ulu, Muslim Melanau, Bidayuh, Iban, and Melanau. Back: Orang Ulu.

She also choreographed a dance performance called Tarian Rampaian which was a fusion of Tarian Ngajat, Sumazau, and Magunatip, all originating from Borneo.

Bibi Balqis, a student from Sarawak, was “happy to have a celebration of the minority groups, in IIUM campus” that showcased students from Borneo wearing traditional attire representing Orang Ulu, Melanau, and Kadazan ethnic groups.

Furthermore, Borneo Night was a special event to some students where one student, Muhammad Khaizir, wore a traditional Iban attire for the first time. He even danced and participated while exhibiting the traditional Borneo attire. 

Another committee member, Syarifah Humaira Salsabeela, encouraged students to try and taste Borneo cuisines such as Laksa Sarawak, Kek Lapis Sarawak, Ambuyat, and Hinava that were offered at the Festival.

During her speech, she hoped, “Borneo Night could bring a taste of home [to all Sarawakian and Sabahan students] after being so far away.” 

Students were given a chance to taste various Kek Lapis Sarawak.

Some students from IIUM Kenyalang Union (IKON) and Ikatan Anak Sabah (IKAS) also volunteered to set up booths offering traditional Borneo dishes. Asyiqin Aqilah, who served Laksa Sarawak, looked forward to sharing another Sarawakian dish, Mee Kolok, if there were to be another Borneo Night.

Laksa Sarawak were served to the students at the entrance of the hall.

Borneo Night was so inclusive that one of the Best Dressed winners, Muhamad Danial Saaid bin Azlan, who is from Kedah, said, “it’s an amazing event that introduced the culture from all across the country.”

Danial even encouraged students to participate in more culturally based events as these make the university international.

Students modelled for their respective traditional attires according to their ethnicity. From left to right: Murut, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Iban, Melanau, and Kadazan.

Borneo Night was a part of the Cultural Festival overall events that highlighted the Sarawakian and Sabahan cultures whereas the opening ceremony showcased the Peninsular Malaysian culture such as Silat and Gamelan.

Programme Manager for Cultural Festival, Muhammad Iqbal bin Hamlizar, mentioned his hope that this festival will become a platform for students to familiarize with the Malaysian culture as a whole with Explore Race, Khat Workshop, and a trip to Nasyrul Quran and the Islamic Arts Museum included.

The Cultural Festival was successfully organised by Mahallah Bilal in collaboration with Mahallah Farouq, Mahallah Safiyyah, IKAS, and IKON. The festival was proudly sponsored by The Coca Cola Company. ***

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