Sabahan in ethnic Murut dress steals show at UK convocation

 

Nur Liyana Razali and her family after her recent graduation ceremony. (Facebook pic)

KOTA KINABALU: A Malaysian from Sabah turned heads in Britain recently when she wore a Murut Nabai tribal dress to receive her master’s degree in engineering from the University of Manchester.

Photos of Nur Liyana Razali, 26, have been widely-shared especially among Sabahans. The photos show her in a traditional ethnic dress with a robe and mortarboard, receiving her scroll on March 20.

Nur Liyana, of Brunei-Murut descent, said she wore the motif-embellished indigenous outfit to showcase Murut traditions and culture to foreigners, and wanted it to be appreciated by the younger generation.

“I am elated to receive my master’s degree, but the day was made more memorable when I was able to showcase Sabahan culture in a Murut Nabai tribal dress from my mother’s lineage,” she told reporters here today.

Nur Liyana, who is working in Kuala Lumpur, thanked the public, especially Sabahans who gave her support and encouragement.

Her father Razali Matali said Nur Liyana was supposed to graduate in 2020 but her convocation had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

“As a parent, I am very happy with Liyana’s success and grateful to the Sabah Foundation for giving her a scholarship,” he said.

Razali attended the event with his wife and two other children, dressed in a baju Melayu and songkok. - FMT