Sabah Traditional Dance: Sumazau

Sumazau is the name of the dance between a male and female, performed by couples as well as groups of couples, which is usually accompanied by a symphony of handcrafted bronze gongs that are individually called 'tagung'. This traditional dance is invariably associated  with the tribe of Kadazandusun, a tribe that inhabits the state of Sabah. Those from the Penampang distric are especially well-versed in this sort of dance.

The Sumazau dance can be considered the state dance of Sabah. It is frequently performed during the Harvest Festival as a thanksgiving  for the bountiful harvest. It can also be seen at wedding functions occassionally. 

The arm gestures are likened to that of a bird and it floats gracefully at approximately shoulder level with gentle bending of the elbow and wrist or alternatively is swung gently like a pendulum, parallel at the sides of the body.

The costumes are authentically Kadazan and are usually black in colour and made of a velvet type material adorned with the appropriate accessories.

Credit:
http://www.dancemalaysia.com/Dance/Traditional/Folk_Dance_East/Sumazau/sumazau.htm
http://odysseyist.wordpress.com/2009/05/23/traditional-dances-of-sabah-sumazau/