By Aina Azizah Yeo & Nia Natasha Hasenan
KUCHING: The final of a ‘nopeng’ (traditional Malay dance) competition was held at the Kuching Civic Centre (KCC) last Sunday night (Oct 4) by the State Arts Council (MSS).
After the preliminary round on Sept 11, 16 male contestants in eight groups aged between seven and 14 reached the final.
From a prize pool of RM1,300 the top winner received RM500, first runner-up — RM300, and third place — RM200. Prizes were also given for best performance and best costume.
It was the first ever ‘nopeng’ competition to introduce the cultural art as future component of upcoming Sarawak Traditional Dance and Songs Festival.
Chief executive officer of MSS, Sharkawi Amit, said the purpose was to expose millennial kids to the conservation of the Malay heritage.
“We must encourage the young to appreciate in order to help protect and maintain certain aspects of traditional Malay culture for future generations.
“As you can see, this competition has attracted those aged 18 and below though our original plan was to get contestants aged 13 and below.
“Some people requested that those above 18 be allowed to take part, but we wanted to start from the roots,” he told the reporters after the final.
Sharkawi also expressed his gratitude to the minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Sarawak, Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah for supporting the competition.
“We started small first. Hopefully we can expand it to other divisions,” he said
Also present during the competition was Tun Jugah Foundation research director, Dr Robert Menua Saleh.
Sharkawi (centre) with top winner Pewaris Budaya (Muhammad Alif Hamizan and Muhammad Haiqal). On the right is Robert. 
Under-18 contestants doing the ‘nopeng’. 
Under-18 contestants doing the ‘nopeng’. 
Under-18 contestants doing the ‘nopeng’.
