Sanggar
Kesenian Aceh (SAKA) UGM got the chance to represent Indonesia in the 9th
Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF). This festival was conducted in
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. Sabah was exactly on top of the Kalimantan Island.
The team from SAKA itself consists of 16 people from various of faculties in
UGM. SIFF is an annual festival held by the Cultural Board of Sabah that consists of agendas of festival and competition. SIFF 2014 was
attended by 11 countries, including Ghana, India, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Sri
Lanka, South Korea, Philippines, Egypt, Malaysia and Indonesia. This festival was
conducted from June 7-16th 2014. After months of practicing for our performance in this International Scale competition, here I would like to tell a glimpse of story of our unforgettable journey in Sabah.
Day 1 - June 7th 2014 - Arrival at Kota Kinabalu
The groups that depart together consist of me, Upet, Eka, Zulfa, Najma, kak Icha, kak Shofi, kak Diana and kak Yahya met up at Bandara International Soekarno Hatta, Jakarta. Having to transit at Malaysian Airport first, which I was also awed at how big, comfortable and good the KL airport was since it was actually my first time going there, we go straight to Kota Kinabalu which takes up about three hours. Even though we arrived at KK late at night, I was not expecting the SIFF committee still welcomed us very friendly! They gave us a handmade necklace from Sabah.
The warm welcome from the committee of SIFF in Kota Kinabalu
The team before departing
Schedules were arranged to be productive. We started of the activity with a technical, program and tourism briefing. Another form of welcome from the committee in Sabah, we are described about the agendas and mostly the tourism in Sabah.
The SIFF participants in Malaysian Newspaper. Indonesia is there
Every country are gathered to have a City Tour around Kota Kinabalu. Traffic jam is still there in KK, but the infrastructure of the city is still not that crowded. That's also caused by the fact that the city is surrounded by forest that they choose not to transform into another city in order to treasure their nature. I like the part where there is a jogging track after the sea, think it would be such a way to spend your afternoons finding inspiration and stuff. We are also taken to have a sightseeing at the 2nd largest Mosque in Sabah, Chocolate Boutique and Coffee Shop that are considered famous there.
At night, all countries, committees, board from Sabah Government - especially the Sabah Cultural Board are gathered at the official Welcoming Dinner at Le Meridien Hotel. Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, Governor of Sabah. The dinner was delightful, but it even gets better after the formal part, participants are gathered to forget being formal and just enjoy the night. So most of them dances (randomly!) on stage, I call this the night where we celebrates diversity. It was a great beginning.
In front of the building, where we will perform for the festival
The famous Cocoa Boutique and Coffee Shop in Sabah
SIFF 2014 Official Welcoming Dinner
Today marks the day for Folklore Parade. Which also marks the day where Opening Ceremony of Sabah Traditional Food Fair and Folk Art Exhibition. All participants are gathered to this parade representing their country using their traditional clothes. We, Indonesians decided to use different types of costumes ranging from a lot of provinces in Indonesia to showcase the diversity of culture in our country. Ranging from Bali, Kalimantan, Java, Minang, etc. At the venue, we're surprised to see children that uses similar costumes as ours - Aceh costumes - turns out they were from Sekolah Indonesia di Malaysia. We both excited to see each other and decided to chit chat and take some pictures.
Kota Kinabalu's temperature is considered high especially for us students that lives in Yogyakarta. That day, I just hope that the heat doesn't destroy my make up because sweats are continuously flowing within! Especially since I wore a Balinese outfit, where it was very tight to ensure that the bits of accessories doesn't come off easily, and hope the sun won't somehow burn my skin. But it was actually exciting to see the response of the people in Sabah anticipating the parade. While walking, we Indonesians decided to stop at some crowded point and walk while singing Cublak Cublak Suweng, Yamko Rambe Yamko and Rasa Sayange. The people also love to take pictures with us, whether it's group or individually. I presume we became a top star for one day.
The parade was followed by a mini pocket show, we performed Pasang Jabet dance. We are also the chosen countries to perform at the building after finishing lunch. In which we perform first.
Performing Pasang Jabet in the Mini Pocket Show
SAKA UGM proud to represent the Indonesian culture
With friends from Kazakhstan
Day 4 - June 10th 2014 - Pocket Show
The activites today holds a unique experience, participants are going to perform on pocket shows in two malls in KK. To give a glimpse of teaser of our performance in SIFF and also inviting people to attend the festival. But today, we decided that the ones performing in the show are the boys, performing Likok Pulo. While the girls are going to support them in the crowd wearing Batik.
Performing at Centre Point Sabah
With friends from the Philippines
Today also marks the day of the Local Folk Dance Competition Day 1, in which our friends from Sekolah Indonesia di Malaysia performed. Three of us goes to the competition as a representative from Indonesia after a whole day of performance. While the rest, me and some peeps decided to go sightseeing to the nearest place near us. It is said that this place was really close with the islands.
(To Be Continued in Part 2)
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