Michelle Glory G. Jonik definitely made heads flip throughout her Master’s graduation ceremony at Penang’s Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) three weeks in the past.
The 28-year-old Sabahan wore a traditional Kadazan costume full with equipment that weighed over 4 kilogrammes.
“Wearing traditional clothes could also be frequent for college students learning in Sabah or Sarawak as a result of they’ve quick access to it.
“However, college students learning in Peninsular Malaysia or overseas could discover it tough to put on such costumes as a result of most traditional outfits are heavy, particularly as a number of the equipment are constituted of brass. There can be a excessive threat of them being misplaced or broken throughout transport and transportation.
“Furthermore, some traditional apparel will not be acceptable for graduation ceremonies as a result of they comprise bells. There are additionally outfits that may not adhere to the ceremony’s costume etiquette as a result of they’re fairly revealing,” mentioned Jonik in an electronic mail interview from Papar, a district situated 40km from Kota Kinabalu, just lately.
Jonik feels youths ought to current the individuality of Sabah and Sarawak’s traditional clothes not solely throughout Gawai or Kaamatan festivals however at different important events like graduation day as effectively. Photo: Universiti Sains Malaysia
Her mother and father, electrical officer Geoffrey Jonik, 60, and administrative officer Roza J. Anthony Mojigoh, 54, flew in from Kota Kinabalu for her graduation and introduced all the traditional ensemble for the auspicious occasion.
Jonik, who just lately accomplished her research in marine science and is at present pursuing her PhD in the identical topic, determined to put on her traditional outfit as a result of it represents her ethnic id.
“The youth ought to current the individuality of Sabah and Sarawak’s traditional clothes not solely throughout Gawai or Kaamatan festivals however at different important events like graduation day as effectively.”
Her graduation outfit mixed the Kadazan Papar shirt and Kadazan Penampang skirt as a result of her father and mom are from Sabah’s Papar and Penampang districts respectively.
Jonik carrying her traditional outfit beneath the gown at her latest graduation ceremony in Universiti Sains Malaysia. Photo: Universiti Sains Malaysia
Kadazan Papar ladies put on a brief velvet jacket with gold or silver buttons over a white shirt. Horizontal and vertical cross-stitched panels stitched with gold thread adorn the knee-length velvet skirt. The outfit worn by the Kadazan Penampang ladies seems related, however it contains a sleeveless shirt and lengthy skirt.
“My intention in mixing and matching my costume from two completely different ethnicities was merely to respect the graduation costume code at USM. Hopefully it is not going to evoke any sensitivities amongst individuals, particularly Sabahans,” mentioned Jonik, including that the outfit has been within the household for 5 years.
Six years in the past, Jonik wore her mom’s traditional wedding ceremony apparel throughout her convocation in USM when she obtained her diploma.
“Each tribe’s traditional costume has its sentimentality. I wore my mom’s wedding ceremony costume as a result of normally this traditional costume can be inherited from era to era. In 2014, my eldest sister Olivia Eyvonnie wore it to her graduation at Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Hopefully, after this, my youngest sister Maureen Grace will have the ability to put on it as effectively,” mentioned Jonik, who’s the second baby amongst 4 siblings.
Jonik wore her mom’s wedding ceremony outfit throughout her convocation in 2016.
Jonik’s graduation images have been shared on social media platforms. On her Facebook web page (@Michelle Glory), she’s obtained optimistic suggestions from family and friends.
“After my picture was shared on social media, I seen that many younger individuals in Sabah and Sarawak started to depart feedback saying that they, too, wished to put on traditional apparel on their graduation day. It makes me very joyful to have the ability to provide some inspiration.”
She hopes extra youth will embrace their tradition and heritage.
“These days, a number of the youth can barely converse or perceive their native language. It is vital for the youthful era to study traditional clothes-making strategies, handicrafts and quite a lot of different expertise. This is important to protect our cultural heritage.”
