Limbai, the Dance of the Cowboys of the East

Limbai, the traditional dance of the Bajau Sama (or Bajau Samah), is a vibrant expression of the culture of the second-largest indigenous group in Sabah, Malaysia. The Bajau's love for bright colours shines through in their lively attire and dances. This dance is traditionally performed during special events to symbolically welcome the groom, who is paraded to the bride's house as an invitation to enter for the wedding ceremony (pernikahan).
The Pertandingan Seni Warisan Juara Limbai 2024 (Heritage Art Competition: Limbai Champion 2024) took place at the Bajau Sama Cultural Centre on 13 July 2024. This event featured 10 schools competing in primary and high school categories, showcasing their best Limbai performances. Featured in this video is the Gentari Group from SM Lok Yuk (Kota Kinabalu), who clinched the championship title for the second consecutive year. Additionally, Nur Dianza Aini Basa Ama Koten from this group was awarded Best Female Dancer in the High School Category. The performance begins with traditional Limbai elements and transitions into a creative interpretation in the second half.
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