Malaysian Dances! Part 3: Magunatip (Bamboo dance)

 After learning the Zapin dance moves! We brought in the big guns! We brought in our "bamboo sticks" or more like poles wrapped in green paper! We make do with what we have! When I was researching for these dances, Magunatip really spoke to me! I knew the students would love it, was just something so different, and just fun honestly! Magunatip requires dancers to have agility and skill in jumping/dancing while avoiding getting crippled by the bamboos! Dancers hop in and out of the two or more clapping bamboo poles.

Originated from the Borneo land of Sabah! Performed by the Murut tribe while wearing their utterly beautiful traditional costume! Picture below! This dance originally performed for healing ceremonies and returning headhunters as a celebration (sounds of clapping, gongs and cheering made the blood of nearby villages run cold) is now performed during cultural events and festivals throughout Sabah. Most commonly now, it's performed during the harvest season or weddings as a sign of joy and happiest to their roots!

   Isn't it gorgeous?!

Two people will sit opposite each other and move the bamboos following a rhythm while 2 or more people jump and avoid the sticks! I knew I had to avoid any accidents (can't afford a lawsuit T_T) and the safety of the students does come first! I sought help from Yukari-san and Tomo-san in moving the bamboos while I jump as an introduction. We managed to create a routine where we counted (1-5) and managed to not get hurt! We were ready for the students! 

Video here:

Magunatip (warrior dance)

Students started off again watching a video and were just amazed! They were frightened but definitely ready to be jumping everywhere. I started off with a demonstration, twirl in front of the bamboos and then the jumping starts! We did it by making students follow my lead one by one until they were comfortable doing it on their own! They were later curious about the "Bamboos" and wanted to move it while the others jump around. They learned fast! By the end of it, I was sitting at the side as the students became masters! They wanted to do more tricks but were quickly shot down! 

But boy did the students enjoy it! I for one had fun teaching them about my culture as well as immersing myself in it! 

Malaysian Dances! Part 1 : Introduction to Malaysia

Luna International first-ever Malaysian Dance day! Being a proud Malaysian, I took this challenge and wanted to knock the socks off these students! As it was held in August, also known as Malaysia’s Independence month, I thought “Great! Perfect timing!” Thus, my planning started! I conducted my research and talk to family and friends back home! I wanted something unique but not too difficult for students. Finally, I found Zapin and Magunapit to teach them! Was I excited!

 On a beautiful Wednesday morning (18^th August) we had a full house! We started with the first half of the day with an introduction to Malaysia! A beautiful montage created by Malaysia Truly Asia showcased the diverse cultures present in the country! The students were in awe especially seeing the animals (Proboscis monkey I see you!) They are also introduced to all the other popular dances across the country (Ulek Mayang - calling spirits of the sea) (Ngajat - A harvest dance)

We continued more by asking the students to colour in 3 different Malaysian inspired drawings by a talented close friend of mine (Instagram: @byanisgallery). She was inspired by the 3 big regions in Malaysia (East and West of Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarawak). From the fabric to our traditional games to our flora and fauna. Truly beautiful especially after the students coloured everything in! Then we stuck up the coloured drawings on the map of Malaysia!

West Malaysia

East Malaysia

Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak)

Now time for costumes!!! Like every performance, the costumes are the utmost important aspect! In Malaysia, as an activity, we like making clothes using newspaper and I really wanted to make the students wear newspaper! So, we made a paper skirt! Extremely easy to rip but did the students have fun learning something new! We continued on to a different aspect of the costume! The headbands! Dancers in Malaysia would usually wear a headdress thus I must make it too! Using yellow and gold cut out leaves, we shaped our headband beautifully. Am I proud of the students!

In Part 2, we will talk about Zapin as a dance and how the students enjoyed learning it!

I can virtually dance - Bon Bon with Luna 2020-style!

Massively disappointed our dance cards are BLANK tonight...except they aren't, because we did our homework a couple of weeks ago :)

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Another Bon Bon Boogie Night!

The first week of August, hot and steamy, drew to a close; Matsumoto's streets gave way to pedestrians and party-goers! Once again, tens of thousands of people turn out to dance the city streets and join in the fun...and right in the middle is little Luna, led by our merry band of mini-dancers in their smart red t-shirts...and they kept dancing all night long!

We had time to warm up, on Eki-mai, with nobody around - same as last year...but our good friends from the Nagano Pref. Children's Hospital were in front of us. Not sure if they enjoyed the special jelly Damian & Jim had concocted. Contents? Trade secret - but 'special'.

It seemed like a quiet night, and thankfully not too many idiots trying to barge through our group this year. Main problem was Alex occasionally getting too close to the white line in the middle of the road!

 Along the way we bumped into old friends & students dancing with other groups, and others joining us once their more boring teams went home early :) We added a Spanish coterie to our tails for the final swing around the whatever park, behind Yohashira shrine, and later heard stories of Seville & Barcelona while we warmed down over cold drinks!

Thanks everyone who joined us and made Bon Bon 2016 a lovely night out. We think you are great, and we love making this evening the centerpiece of our summers.

You will find all our pictures from the evening at the link below

https://www.flickr.com/gp/saint_george/X1NFwe

Can you wink, swim, dance, sing?!

Created with Sock Puppets for iPhone and iPad.

Can you wink, swim, dance, sing?!

Created with Sock Puppets for iPhone and iPad.

Billy Elliot

37.You are Michael. Write to Billy after he goes to the Royal Ballet School in London. Do you miss him? What is happening in Everington? Tell him

Dear Billy
How are you, Dancing boy? It is one year passed after you left Everington for London. I think you always practice dancing. I miss you, but I study hard. I want to go to London and to get into University. If I pass the exam, I’ll live in London.
I have some News about Everington. You knew the strike was over in Everington. Your Dad and Tony lost and the government won. Fortunately, the mines didn’t close at that time. But it’s closed now. A lot of miners stopped working. Your Dad stopped working down the mine, too. Tony can’t find another job. They want to see you, if you become the main dancer. So am I.
I’m looking forward to seeing you, some day.

Best wishes
Michael