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TARIAN SUMIRID MEDTEMU
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Introduction and history
Sumirid Medtemu is a traditional dance of the Dusun Liwan tribe, native to Sabah's Ranau and Kundasang regions. This dance has a unique history deeply rooted in the agrarian lifestyle of the Dusun Liwan people, particularly their rice cultivation practices. The dance movements are primarily inspired by a traditional activity called Mongogik, which manually separates rice grains from their stalks by stomping bare feet. Before the advent of rice threshing machines, Mongogik was an essential manual process for preparing harvested rice. Over time, this vital agricultural practice evolved into the symbolic movements that now characterise the Sumirid Medtemu dance.
Historically, this dance was officially performed for the first time in 1984 during a special ceremony dedicated to visiting the Kinodou, a sacred hut used for storing skulls. The Kinodou holds deep spiritual significance, symbolising reverence for the ancestors. The dance was performed as an expression of gratitude for a bountiful rice harvest and a celebration of the community's enduring connection with nature and their forebears.
The Sumirid Dance was originally performed as a gesture of gratitude for an abundant rice harvest. Inspired by the Mongogik process, the dance movements symbolise the Dusun Liwan community's appreciation for nature, which provides their livelihood. It also serves as a tribute to their ancestors, who are believed to have passed down the way of life and cultural practices preserved through generations.
Today, the Sumirid Dance is often performed at significant events such as harvest festivals, weddings, and cultural ceremonies. In this context, the dance functions as a unifying medium that strengthens the bonds among community members.
Female dancers wear a distinctive black outfit embellished with golden lace or trim, known as Garung Lapoi. This attire is paired with a headpiece called Sunduk or Sinurondoi. The accessories female dancers wore during the Sumirid Dance emphasise the waist, featuring the Himpogot and Tangkong. The Himpogot, also referred to as Botungkat, is a waist accessory crafted from silver coins, symbolising wealth and cultural heritage. In contrast, the Tangkong consists of circular metal pieces or iron plates with central holes, meticulously arranged to create a belt-like structure.
Male dancers wear an attire known as Sinonson, crafted from tree bark, symbolising the strength and resilience of Dusun Liwan men, who were historically engaged in hunting and warfare. Their headgear, called Sigar, is decorated with feathers from the Sungang bird, representing bravery and skill. Additionally, the men wear loincloths made from tree bark or traditional woven fabric, adding to the authenticity and distinctiveness of the dance performance.
This dance is accompanied by two traditional musical instruments of the Dusun Liwan ethnic group: the Gong and the Bungkau. The Gong in this performance typically consists of three to four gongs of varying sizes, creating a harmonious resonance. Meanwhile, the melodic tones of the Bungkau are blended to set the rhythm for the Sumirid dance. The Bungkau belongs to the lamellophone category, a jaw harp crafted from Polod or palm wood. Its ideal size usually ranges from 6 to 8 inches or 17 to 19 centimetres.
The Sumirid Dance is typically performed in pairs, with four to five pairs of dancers participating. The choreography emphasises hand movements, featuring two distinct positions: open-palmed and clenched. Female dancers alternate extending their hands to the left and right, while male dancers perform inward hand gestures. Another variation involves semi-circular rotations of the hands. Simultaneously, the dancers’ feet gently stomp in rhythm with the rotating hand movements or shuffle when the hands are extended outward.
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Reference Source
Pugh-Kitingan, J. (2012). Kadazan Dusun. Institut Terjemahan & Buku Malaysia.
Kein, E. D., & bin Hamza, H. Z. (2023). Kajian Kes Terhadap Sumirid Sebagai Tari Gubahan Baharu Neo-Tradisional. Kajian Kes dalam Seni Persembahan Volume, 63. Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.
Location
State JKKN Contact Information
Puan Nurshahrinna Syahrial
Cultural Officer
Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Sabah
Kompleks JKKN Sabah,
Jalan Tasik off KM4 Jalan Penampang,
88200 Kota Kinabalu
SABAH
088-205070
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