THE RITUALISTIC PERFORANCE OF NGALAI / BERASIK: THE INTANGIBLE HERITAGE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF NATIONAL CULTURAL POLICY (NCP) AND MALAYSIAN HERITAGE ACT

This paper elaborates on the ritualistic performing arts of ngalai/berasik practised by the Bajau/Sama' ethnic group in the state of Sabah, from the perspective of the Malaysian National Cultural Policy (NCP) and National Heritage Act. Traditionally, ngalai/berasik ritual performance is a performance practice for healing, based on the ritualistic belief of animism. As a type of performing arts, this form of ritual contains elements of dance movements, songs, acts and music. Referring to NCP, the ritualistic performance of ngalai/berasik not only functions as a medium of healing, but it also serves as an artistic culture among the practising community. Meanwhile, referring to the National Heritage Act, Malaysia, it is a form of performance arts, categorised as Intangible heritage. Therefore, this study attempts to justify the ritualistic performance of ngalai/berasik as performance arts in the form of intangible heritage that is supposed to be preserved at the expense of sustainable cultural heritage.