Gema Rajang brings Iban traditions to BCM stage

KUCHING: Contemporary eco-tragedy stage play Gema Rajang (The Echo of Rajang) will bring Iban cultural traditions and environmental themes to the Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM) auditorium on Oct 3 and 4.

Author and director Dr Safian Bujang said the play would introduce audiences to the nature-dependent process of Pua Kumbu weaving, including the extraction of Akar Engkudu for rich organic red dyes and Kulit Kayu Samak for earthy tones.

A major highlight of the production is the integration of the traditional Iban death ritual chanting, known as Sabak or Nyabak.

“We have modernised this ancient ritualistic mourning poetry.

“The mournful, monotonous chanting of the Tukang Sabak is backed by a live ethno-fusion score layered over deep electronic digital synthesizers,” Safian said in a statement today (Sept 21).

He added that tickets are priced at RM20 for the general public and RM15 for students and can be purchased online through the Cloudjoi ticketing platform.

Those interested can purchase tickets through the Cloudjoi ticketing platform at https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/7038-gema-rajang/ with booking links also available on SIFAR’s official Facebook page and TikTok page.

“Due to the exclusive seating capacity of the Borneo Cultures Museum auditorium, early bookings are highly encouraged,” he added.

For the record, the production by Persatuan Seni Kreatif Sifar Sarawak 2020 (SIFAR) is officially featured in the international arts festival calendar of What About Kuching (WAK) 2026 and will be held at the BCM Auditorium.