Movement transcends language, carrying emotions, traditions, and dreams through every step. Across the world, dance stands as a powerful reflection of identity and heritage. In celebration of this universal art form, we turn our attention to a rising young talent — the little Bornean birdie who embodies the spirit of his people with every performance.
Preserving tradition through dance
Beyond the art of dancing, movements tell a story — whether expressing oneself creatively or preserving tales from the past. Each movement transcends barriers, forming a bridge between art and the soul.
This is why International Dance Day was established in 1982 — not only to celebrate dance as an art form but also to appreciate and recognise its many diverse styles. This year, we honour Dion Das Louis — the little Bornean birdie.
At just nine years old, Dion is already breaking barriers with his ‘ngajat’ — the traditional Iban cultural dance. Having made his international debut at the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) last year, he proudly brought home two gold medals.
Dion began his journey in traditional dance at the age of six, after his kindergarten teacher selected him to compete in a Pekit Keling Kumang. His parents took charge of preparing his costume and choreographing his steps for the competition.
“During one of our brainstorming sessions, Dion’s father came up with the idea of designing his costume. We were looking at wings and feathers, and then it struck me — why not turn him into a bird?” revealed Dion’s mother, Edina Lanying.
The costume, which Dion still wears today, incorporates elements of the burung ruai (the Great Argus) and the rhinoceros hornbill. Reflecting the strong and masculine nature of these two birds, it is this very spirit that Dion often channels in his ngajat performances.
“I remember when he first wore the costume, he was full of spirit; he truly believed he was the bird, and the bird was him. He immediately went into character when he donned the costume. We were surprised by what he could do and how beautifully he danced,” she added.
His first competition saw him finishing as the first runner-up. From there, his love for traditional dance only grew stronger. Dion began exploring different ways to enhance his performances. Besides learning more about ‘ngajat’ through YouTube, he also delved into Iban culture through oral traditions and martial arts, particularly Pencha.
Coming from a family passionate about traditional arts, Dion’s love for dance seems almost destined. According to Edina, her maternal great-grandfather was a traditional practitioner who knew how to perform ‘ngajat’, recite traditional Iban poems, and master various Iban art forms.
Photo credit: Chipper Edmund.
Photo credit: Chipper Edmund.
The Little Bornean Birdie Onstage
Though shy by nature, Dion becomes animated when discussing his passions. He recalled that learning to dance was initially quite challenging. “When I was six, the hardest part about ‘ngajat’ was learning it. It was so difficult that I almost wanted to give up. But once I pushed through, that’s when I realised how much I liked it.”
Even after three years of dancing, Dion still feels nervous before performing. “But Dad said that being nervous is a good feeling.” According to Edina, they use this to encourage Dion to do his best onstage, assuring him that nerves are simply a sign of wanting to perform well.
Despite the beauty of each performance, Dion admitted that mistakes do happen. Nevertheless, he has learned to cover up any errors by improvising steps to continue the performance seamlessly.
Sometimes, feathers from his headgear fall off, his costume loosens, or his wings become unstable — yet Dion adjusts his costume mid-performance without breaking character.
“But there was one time in Miri, Sarawak, when I had to stop in the middle of a performance. It’s the worst memory I have onstage. I was confused because the song played was mixed with another, and I stopped midway,” little Dion recalled.
Typically performing at weekends, Dion balances his studies and performing by practising only in the evenings for about two hours. The rest of his time is reserved for his studies and relaxation. While his practice intensifies ahead of major events, there are occasions when he feels restless and refuses to practise.
According to Edina, Dion is given his downtime when needed. They usually have a talk with him to encourage continued practice, explaining that dance requires not just memorising steps but also building stamina to handle the fast-paced movements.
“But it also depends on his mood. If he really does not want to practise, we won’t force him,” Edina shared.
A parent’s wish
Looking hopeful, Edina dreams that one day, Dion will soar even higher in pursuit of his passion. “With his current interest in traditional performing arts, he wants to learn to play different traditional instruments like the sape, taboh, and even the Sabahan sompotan.”
She also shared that they believe Dion has great potential and that they will continue supporting his talents and interests. “That’s why we send him to performances and competitions — to help him grow and evolve.”
In July, Dion will represent Malaysia at the ‘Dance World Cup’ World Finals, to be held in Burgos, Spain. Dubbed the Olympics of dancing, the prestigious competition attracts over 9,000 of the world’s top dancers annually and is considered the largest all-genre dance competition for children and young adults.
This is one of the many ways Dion’s parents are nurturing his talent. For Edina, allowing him to perform is a way of sharing the rich culture of the Iban people with the world. As he continues to soar, our little Bornean birdie makes us all proud — carrying the past into the future with every graceful step.
