DANCE FOR CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY: INDIGENOUS ECO-TOURISM AT ANNAH RAIS LONGHOUSE IN SARAWAK, MALAYSIA

Abstract

This study foregrounds dance as a key promoter of indigenous tourism through the narratives of living artists at the longhouse of the Bidayuh community in Annah Rais. Annah Rais longhouse is located in Padawan, in the east Malaysian state of Sarawak, about 65km from the capital city of Kuching. This longhouse is designated as the eco-tourism site, hence, community-based tourism and cultural performances such as music and dance intertwine in this site to promote indigenous or ethnic culture and perpetuate Bidayuh identity while helping the community to improve income through arts-based tourism. This is a qualitative study that focuses on ethnography. This study draws data from fieldwork, especially through observations and interviews with key people in the longhouse to examine how indigenous dances contribute to both economic empowerment and the preservation of cultural heritage. The Bidayuh culture is epitomized by the Brangi Ba’uh (eagle dance), a pride of the Land Dayak community. It is presented as a welcoming dance, followed by the participatory dance, Samah Brangi (also called as the long dance).  This study articulates that dance is not only a crucial element to boost eco-tourism as it stands as an attraction for day tours and homestays, but also a medium for cultural transmission and community engagement. Although sustainability is being threatened by the aging population of artists, migration of younger generations to urban cities, the risk of cultural misrepresentation, Annah Rais continues to persevere through various strategies. This research will show that the indigenous tourism’s survival in Borneo depends a large part on the preservation of arts and culture.  Presenting “original” ethnic dances is vital role in this process, a significant finding that has been ignored in existing scholarships.