The costumes worn by Berasik dance performers typically feature the traditional

attire of the Bisaya ethnic community. The basic outfit consists of a black blouse

adorned with golden lace embroidery and dangling beads. This blouse is paired

with a long sarong skirt for female dancers and long trousers for male dancers.

Male performers also wear the Salindang Songkit, a sash made from songket

fabric. The costume is further complemented by the Sawit, a red sash decorated with circular aluminum discs resembling silver coins, which is worn diagonally

across the shoulders of each dancer. The distinctiveness of the Berasik dance

costume lies in its elaborate and complex accessories, with female dancers wearing

approximately twelve types of ornaments, while male dancers wear around seven

types.

For head accessories, female dancers wear the Pisanggul, a crown-like headpiece

adorned with dangling beads or small flowers attached to each corner, extending to

the upper back. Alongside the Pisanggul is the Kubamban, a floral head ornament

arranged in a circular formation atop the head. Male dancers, in contrast, wear the

Tajuk, a traditional headdress crafted from songket fabric. In addition, both male

and female dancers are required to wear a forehead ornament known as the

Sarabang, made of silver and designed to follow the shape of both eyebrows,

featuring engraved star motifs.

Around the neck, dancers wear a chain necklace called the Kotol. The hand

accessories, known as Golong Longon, are bracelets made from silver or engraved

aluminum plates featuring floral patterns. Finally, the waist accessories include the

Aut, a golden metal belt for male dancers and a circular silver belt for female

dancers. Furthermore, all performers carry multi-colored handkerchief props in

shades of green, red, and yellow during the performance.

Musical Instruments

The rhythm or music accompanying the performance of this dance is known as the Berasik rhythm, which is played using a traditional instrumental ensemble consisting of gongs, kulintangan, and drums. The gong set includes five types: Maginsarok gong, Mangilambat gong, Managongo gong, Canang 1, and Canang 2. Meanwhile, the kulintangan instrument consists of eight to ten small knobbed gongs, accompanied by the beats of a kompang (frame drum), which is struck using two wooden mallets called Tabuh or Baloh. Typically, these musical instruments are played by a group of male musicians known as the Bagandang, most often composed of young men within the community.

Ritual Equipment

Sangkuban

A structure decorated with flowers and coconut leaves serves as an offering platform for the spirits.

Ritual Offerings

Yellow rice, a bowl of water, eggs, red ginger, ketupat (rice dumplings), betel leaves, and areca nuts.

Biduk

A miniature boat symbolizes the spiritual journey of the supernatural beings.

The Berasik dance is performed in pairs, consisting of both male and female dancers, with the number of pairs typically ranging from four (4) to eight (8). The basic movements of the dance emphasize gentle waving hand gestures that mimic the motion of the Simpapataan bird (commonly known as the magpie robin), performed in a circular floor formation. Within this formation, seven (7) variations of Berasik dance movements are incorporated.

The first variation, Tangan Melambai (Waving Hands), involves softly waving the hands while holding a handkerchief raised to waist level. The second variation, Silat Gayung, features swift silat-inspired movements as the body shifts to the right and left. Next, Insud-Insud refers to a movement where the feet are dragged alternately to the left and right, with the soles forming a "V" shape, the heels touching while the toes are spaced approximately one hand span apart. The fourth variation, Itik Berenang Maju (Swimming Duck Forward), presents a sidestepping movement to the right, while both hands are placed at the left side of the waist.

The fifth variation, Itik Berenang Mundur (Swimming Duck Backward), involves sidestepping to the left with the hands positioned at the right side of the waist. The sixth variation, Liput-Liput, refers to stationary spinning movements with small steps taken forward and backward. Finally, the seventh variation, Gakud Manukad, displays a bending posture while crossing the legs with a stance one to two feet wide; if the right foot is positioned forward, the left foot crosses behind, and vice versa. All of these basic variations serve as the foundation of the dance movements; however, in contemporary practice, numerous additional variations and creative adaptations have been introduced to make the performance more visually engaging and relevant to modern audiences.

Informants

Mr. Charmmy Ladong. Girumpung Baatan Asal Kampung Ta-ee(GBAT). Kampung Taee, Serian, Sarawak.

Mr. Andrisse Ridu. Girumpung Baatan Asal Kampung Ta-ee(GBAT). Kampung Taee, Serian, Sarawak.