Скачать или смотреть Monombodou, the Wild Ox Dance of Sabah

The Monombodou dance is inspired by the movements of the Tembadau (or Banteng), a wild ox that inhabits the forests of Sabah's interior. According to the beliefs of the Tombonuo (or Tambanuo) ethnic group from the Pitas district, the dance originated when villagers witnessed a hunter being chased by a wild ox all the way into the village. The villagers joined forces to stop the animal. After successfully capturing and pacifying the wild ox, they celebrated with joyful cheers and a dance that mimicked the actions of surrounding, capturing, and taming the creature.

Today, the Tembadau (Bos javanicus) is a critically endangered species on Borneo Island. Due to centuries of overhunting, fewer than 200 individuals remain in Sabah, making sightings exceptionally rare. Nevertheless, the Monombodou dance reflects a time when the Tembadau roamed freely, embodying the majesty of Borneo's wildlife.

The Tombonuo people are an indigenous ethnic group primarily residing in the districts of Beluran, Kota Marudu, and Pitas in the Kudat Division of Sabah, Malaysia. This traditional dance was showcased at the Malaysia Dance Festival 2024 (Sabah Zone), organised by the National Department for Culture and Arts (Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, or JKKN) of Malaysia.

The Monombodou dance not only honours the Tembadau but also celebrates the Tombonuo community's rich cultural heritage and their deep connection to nature.

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