KOTA KINABALU: Exchanging ethnic clothes and KK City Folklore Parade were the highlights on the third day of 11th Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF), yesterday.
Chairman of Sabah Cultural Board, Tan Sri Wences Angang, said the exchanging of ethnic clothes was one of efforts to educate local people about the diversity and uniqueness of the ethnic clothes from other countries.
This year, Sabah has chosen the ethnic clothes of the Murut people, to be given as a gift to the countries involved, and they would also reciprocate with their respective ethnic attires.
“With the ethnic clothes given, we are promoting Sabah to the world, especially to the participating countries,” he added.
Eleven countries are participating in this year’s in SIFF, namely Australia, Estonia, Ireland, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
After the exchanging of ethnic clothes ceremony was held at Sabah Art Gallery in Penampang, dancers from all participating countries paraded from Suria Sabah shopping mall, showcasing some of their dance moves at Dataran Deasoka before ending the third of the nine-day event for Folklore High Tea Ceremony at Kota Kinabalu City Hall.
Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai said the SIFF would no doubt enable the people of Sabah, especially in Kota Kinabalu, to enjoy a sensational blend of ethnic dances as well as musical presentations from all participating countries.
Yeo said he believed the festival was not only to celebrate the heritage of different countries, but also a platform for cultural exchange.
“Thus, this festival would definitely benefit the people of Sabah through professional cultural dances from different parts of the world at our very own door step,” he said in his speech at the Kota Kinabalu City International Folklore Parade in conjunction with the 11th SIFF here yesterday.
Continue reading at: Murut ethnic clothes for Sabah International Folklore Festival participants
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