Thursday 28 June 2007

Celebrating Our Cultural Heritage in Chapel


Every year, STM dedicates a special East Malaysian thanksgiving chapel service to celebrate our cultural and ethnic diversity within our community.

In Malaysia (comprising Peninsular Malaysia, or West Malaysia and East Malaysia which is part of the Borneo Island - see map above), there are more than 100 different ethnic groups speaking different languages and celebrating diverse cultural practices.

This year's celebration on 28 June is not only colourful but also informative as well. One of our students provided an interesting account of the history and growth of the Methodist, Anglican, and the Sidang Injil Borneo church in the two states of East Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

One of our Iban students also presented a special item at the end of the chapel service - the ngajat dance. This is a unique dance as it serves many purposes depending on the occasion. During Gawai (the Harvest Festival), it is used to entertain the people who in the olden days enjoy graceful ngajats as a form of entertainment.

We are thankful the the colourful diversity within our community.

11 comments:

Global-South said...

Hey KY,

I would love to see u in the ngajat dance! All those who agree please write in! I am quite sure there will be a tremendous respond of an earthquake proportion to this request. Hope u will not disappoint yr fans club.

rccnlj said...

I totally agree!

Rev. Silvester L.M. David said...

Oh my God!!!! i just cant imagine how would LKY look like on that costume. gosh.....unthinkable and terrifying.

Kar Yong said...

well, silvester, i think if you were in that costume, you would be even more scarier, unthinkable and terrifying...you might even need some help to support your..errr..

wei, ong, you need more than 3 signatures.... :-0

rccnlj said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
rccnlj said...

If want, I'll garner some STM students to check out this post and vote! That way, we have more than three persons who will agree with us. ;) hehehe

Kar Yong said...

see whether you can get 1000 signatures before midnight tonight...

pearlie said...

Go for it Ruth!!! You got mine!!! hahaha ... I am practically ROTFLOL!!!

Kar Yong said...

Ok folks, especially global south - I hate to disappoint, but the "tremendous respond of an earthquake proportion" that global-south seems so confidently anticipates does not seem to be forthcoming...looks like there are no fans out there!!

It's past midnight, and you only managed to garner 4 signatures??

So NO ngajat dance....phew!! Fail tutup - kes selesai....

rccnlj said...

I Think we just need to extend the dateline... I'll bring my com to class and show everyone your blog during the break.. That way everyone can vote... *cheeky grin*

Kar Yong said...

until now still no vote...fail tutup...tiada kes...