Kedayan Heritage through Anding Dance

The "BASS wedding" of Bella Astillah and Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman is arguably one of the grandest weddings ever recorded in Malaysia, going viral across social media. The striking traditional black-and-red attire worn by the sweet couple last week in Kota Kinabalu drew widespread interest, with viewers admiring the contemporary adaptation of traditional Kedayan (or Kadayan) dress, a beautiful nod to Bella’s heritage as a Brunei-Kedayan. The Kedayan are recognized as one of the seven indigenous ethnic groups (Puak Jati) of the Brunei Sultanate, each possessing its own unique origins, history, culture, and traditions. Furthermore, the Kedayan are officially recognized as an indigenous group in both Sabah and Sarawak, with Sabah’s Kedayan community mainly concentrated in the southwest (e.g., Beaufort and Sipitang). The dance featured in this video is Anding, a traditional Kedayan dance from Sabah performed by Kumpulan Aileen during Budaya@Komuniti Beaufort 2025. Originally serving as a spiritual healing ceremony accompanied by traditional chants to invite guardian spirits, Anding is today performed in a modern, choreographed style used for merrymaking and welcoming honored guests on special occasions. #Kedayan #Kadayan #Dance #Anding #Sabah