Bringing old dances to new audiences

Dabus dancers holding the Anak Dabus used during performances.

Troupes continue to keep alive traditional dances and their folk tales

THE performance is ritualistic. Dancers jab the “anak dabus,” a small mace-like baton with a pointy end and bells on its top, at their arms. Then the khalifah, or leader of the dance troupe, will enter the scene and tend to the wounds, healing them.