‘Solungkoi: Jambatan Tamparuli’, highlight of Sabah Fest 2018
KOTA KINABALU: Musical theatre ‘Solungkoi: Jambatan Tamparuli’ will be the highlight of this year’s Sabah Fest from May 4 to 6 at Sabah National Culture and Arts Department (JKKN) Auditorium.
Succeeding eight Sabah legendary folktales, this year’s Sabah Fest musical theatre tells the story of a beautiful maiden, Solungkoi, who was caught up between love and sacrifice along the course of the famous Tamparuli bridge construction in the 1950’s.
It was told that a British engineer, Robinson, was assigned to the construction during the post-colonial period to provide easier and better access for villagers, linking the North and West Coast of Sabah.
However, time was testing as the bridge was continuously washed away by the river and after several failed attempts at reconstructing, a spirit medium was consulted to seek ways to build a permanent bridge in nature.
Legends had it that the bridge was constructed on a sacred site and Ombuakar – the spirit known to live inside the Tamparuli River – demanded a human sacrifice as compensation.
Solungkoi ended up being sacrificed; since then, despite countless flooding, the bridge stood on up until this day.
“I used to frequently go to Tamparuli in the late 50s and there was an iron bridge slightly downstream after the Tamparuli bridge but it took only one big flood to sweep it away, yet the current (Tamparuli) bridge remains intact until now.
“So that gives the legend, even more credibility that perhaps the reason for its unusual strength was because of its human sacrifice,” said caretaker Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Masidi Manjun in a press conference here yesterday.
He added that the real drama showcased in the theatre was when Robinson, whose initial intention was to make Solungkoi fall for him only for her to be sacrificed, ended up truly falling in love with her.
“It is whether your love for the lady surpasses the need for (human) sacrifice or whether your job and the need for human sacrifice means sacrificing your true love for that lady.”
Starring in the musical theatre are local socialites – Hosiani Jaimis (Keewon) as Solungkoi, Dane Kovacs (Orang Putih Kita) as Robinson, Jayfrejoe Japrin (JoeJaprin) as Intang, Dayang Hasnah Ibrahim as Odu and a special appearance by Sakinah (Sakinah vs Ondu).
Masidi underlined that in the effort to uphold local talents, the theatre, as it had always been, was fully managed by local artists with almost 100 per cent Malay language except for certain scenes that require English.
“It was our desire to give as much opportunity to local aspiring artists to be known…we have not brought in any outsider because we believe in the creative talent of locals and that is what we had been doing over the past 30 years.
“Every year we try to bring something new in Sabah Fest but the foundation is still the tradition.”
Also present during the press conference were State Tourism, Culture and Environment Ministry permanent secretary Datu Rosmadi Datu Sulai, JKKN director Mohd Raizuli Mat Jusoh and Sabah Tourism Board general manager Suzaini Datuk Sabdin Ghani.
Apart from the musical theatre, festival goers can expect to arrive early and indulge in a variety of foods from various food trucks namely Hyatt Regency Kinabalu, Shawarma Kebab, Hunger Lane, 70’s Street Kitchen and more.
Other activities include the cultural show, traditional games and art gallery by JKKN, traditional cooking and colouring competitions, Bamboo orchestra by Tamparuli school, handicraft merchandise by Kadaiku and Kraftangan Malaysia, and Sabah traditional costumes dress up and exhibition by Chanteek Borneo.
There will also be a contemporary fashion show which will feature modernized, wearable and functional native costumes, mostly from Ranau-based designers modelled by Mr. Kaamatan and Miss Grand Sabah.
Activities will start from as early as 4pm during the whole three-day festival at JKKN where admission is free.
Meanwhile, tickets for ‘Solungkoi: Jambatan Tamparuli’ are priced at RM50, available for online purchasing at www.kadaiku.com or walk-in at Sabah Tourism Board on Gaya Street or Sri Pelancongan Sabah, Sinsuran.
Speaking of the expectation due to the Fest being held during the election period, Masidi was confident that it would not greatly affect the turnout as the festival takes place in the evening.
“Politics is important but the most important thing is we need to motivate our young talents in Sabah to be better.” For more information, please contact Francesca Lydia Chipli at +6088-232121 or email to francesca@sabahtourism.com.
Updates on Sabah Fest 2018 are available at www.hellosabah.my.
Source: New Sabah Times
