Female dancers will wear traditional Dusun Papar ethnic clothing, which is a long-sleeved black shirt called 'Sia' with a white inner layer called 'Sia Id Sahom'. This shirt will be matched with 'Gonob', a short skirt measuring up to the knee. The uniqueness of this traditional dress lies in the head decoration, which uses a trigonometric-shaped hat known as 'Siung'. Before that, the dancer will wear a headband before wearing the hat, which is 'Soundung', in the form of cloth to cover and tidy the female dancer's hair. The accessory used is a silver belt like a coin, known as 'Rupia' or 'Lupia'. On the other hand, dancers will usually wear 'Bolilit', which is a bracelet made of silver or thin metal.

For male dancers, the clothes they wear are also known as ‘Sia’, complete with long pants called ‘Souva’. This clothing is also equipped with a headscarf called ‘Sigal’. Additional accessories for male dancers are long scarves known as ‘Sandai’, which are placed around the male dancer’s neck.

Typically, Sazau is performed by male and female dancers in pairs, accompanied by an ensemble of traditional musical instruments such as Gong, Gendang and Kulintangan. The performance will also feature the sound of Pangkis (a shout from one of the male dancers to change position and floor pattern).

Sazau dance is often performed in pairs, with male and female dancers dancing together. Both dancers begin the dance with soft and slow movements in harmony with the beating of the gong that accompanies their performance. One of the most noticeable styles in this dance is the mengambai movement, in which the dancer raises and opens both hands like a flying swallow. This movement gives the impression of softness and tranquillity, reflecting peace and harmony with nature.

Another unique feature of Sazau is the movement of the female dancer's feet. The dancer's heels meet heels, while the big toes meet thumbs, creating a delicate and distinctive movement. These foot movements seem to resemble someone threshing rice from its stalks, adding to the agricultural element of this dance. The rhythm of this dance is usually brisk, but the dancer's hand movements remain soft and graceful, adding an interesting contrast between the movements of the hands and feet.

Suhaimi Magi. (61 tahun). Kampung Ulu Tomani, 89907 Tenom, Sabah

Nor Syafiqah Yahya. (29 tahun). Persatuan Seni tari Keningau, 89900 Keningau, Sabah. 8 Oktober 2024.