Main Campus, 26th May - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) celebrated a remarkable victory last night with the title “Malam Bumi Kenyalang” dance competition, an event organized by the Perkumpulan Anak-Anak Sarawak (PERKASA). The event aims to showcase the traditional dances of Sarawak to the people of Peninsular Malaysia. USM team, Emparaja Dance Troupe won the championship, while one of its female dancers was honoured with the Best Dancer Award.

"Malam Bumi Kenyalang" is one of the major annual cultural events at USM. The event's name, “Bumi Kenyalang," means "Land of the Hornbill,” with the hornbill being a symbol of the state of Sarawak. This name reflects the event's respect for and celebration of Malaysia’s multicultural diversity. 

This dance competition attracted the participation of dance groups and individual dancers from different universities. The participating teams were well prepared to show their unique talents and creativity.

Project Director, Mohd Nazim Aiman mentioned that this competition features one category, which is a traditional dance. Each participating team meticulously choreographed their performances, showcasing their unique talents and creativity. This year, nine teams competed, including USM and eight other government universities from Peninsular Malaysia, which are Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT). Each university chose to represent a specific ethnic group from Sarawak, such as the Iban, Kayan, Bidayuh, and Melanau, bringing the vibrant and diverse cultures of Sarawak to the stage.

“Our team captivated the audience and judges with their outstanding performance. Their dedication and skill earned them the championship award,” said Aiman. 

Their performance not only shows the charm of traditional Malaysian culture but also integrates traditional elements, making the whole performance both profound cultural heritage and full of historical atmosphere. In addition, Qrishya Qistina Binti Sarizan, Year 2 School of Pharmacy, main dancer of Emparaja Dance Troupe delivered an exceptional solo performance that earned her the Best Dancer award, highlighting her extraordinary talent and grace.

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