Page 58 - Proceedings Collega2023

PERFORMING ARTS AS THERAPY FOR DEPRESSION AMONG
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH BAJAU'S IGAL

1
Panan, Amandus Paul
Rosdeen Suboh 2
Sang Woo Ha 3
Mohd Kipli Abdul Rahman 4
Muhammad Hafizi Zamri 5
Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
Universiti Malaya, Malaysia

1
amandus@uitm.edu.my
2 kudin@um.edu.my
3 sangwooha@um.edu.my
4 mohdkipli@uitm.edu.my
5 muhamm9811@uitm.edu.my

ABSTRACT

"How to design an alternative process of therapeutic for depression among People with Different
Abilities (PwDA)?" The research ascertained that PwDA can be diagnosed with depression and there are
existing Performing Arts therapy models to treat depression. This study argues that depression in PwDA
can be healed through Igal, which is associated with ritualistic acts. Therefore, this conceptual paper aims
to propose an alternative process of therapeutic that fuses some techniques in an existing model of drama
therapy with the local performing arts of Igal. A pilot study was conducted consisting of a focus group of
17 people (using wheelchairs) and volunteers in an experimental project. This project helped to identify
design issues and assess the feasibility of a study, practicality, resources, time, and cost for the future
study. Recordings, observations of the participants and volunteers, interviews, and reading materials were
also applied to collect data. The elements of drama therapy and the essence of Igal provide the conceptual
framework for this research. The research applied a Heuristics approach for analysis. The result found the
participants’ positive feedback on the process that was recorded throughout the session. The study
suggested some improvements should be made in the future including: providing disability-friendly
facilities; including certified Performing Arts therapists in the process; and selecting the suitable repertoire
(movement and live music) for PwDA.

Keywords: Performing Arts, Dramatherapy, Disability, Depression, Bajau’s Igal, Ritual performance

Introduction

International Conference on Local Wisdom of the Malay Archipelago (COLLEGA 2023) Page - 45 -