I will be exhibiting this piece titled 'Ngajat
Indu - iban Tribe' for the Penang Art Society's 60th Anniversary Art Exhibition which will be held at the Penang State Art Gallery, Dewan Sri Pinang. Georgetown, Penang. 22nd Aug - 4th sept 2013.
Born of mixed parentage, my father being a chinese and mother iban. i am proud to share a part of my Sarawakian culture to the Penang audience.
The ‘ngajat’ dance originated from the Iban community and has been passed down from generation to generation. The origin of this indigenous Iban dance is not clearly known but it is believed to have been in existence along with the Iban tribe since the 16th Century.
The Ngajat indu meaning female dance, is performed to celebrate the most important harvest festival, Gawai Dayak, to welcome important guests to the longhouses and so on.
The female dancers have an elaborate headdress, chains, beads and a ‘dress’ that reaches to below their knees with intricate weaving. The dance is performed accompanied by the music from tribal musical instruments, usually percussions, including the enkeromong, bendai, canang and dumbak or ketebong.
Title: Ngajat indu - Iban Tribe
Size: 30 x 40 inches
Medium: acrylic on canvas
Year: 2013
