Bridging Worlds with ‘Salam’ - How Dance Captures the Complexity of Greetings as Humans

“Salam” is a work-in-progress created by dancers from ASK Dance Company in collaboration with Szymon Perczyński during the 2023 Roots of Dance Residency in Poland. The piece was initially performed during the residency and was recently brought to Malaysia for a showcase and sharing session.

The journey of “Salam” began in 2021 during the Roots of Dance Residency (Korzenie Tańca), spearheaded by Jacek Łumiński, an established contemporary dancer-choreographer from Poland. The residency is designed to stimulate dancers' and choreographers' creativity by reconnecting with the roots of cultural traditions through movement, structure, and philosophy.

The residency unfolded in three phases. Phase one, conducted online, introduced participants to traditional Polish dances, with a challenge to create a five-minute piece based on the similarities and differences between their local dance traditions and those of Poland. In phase two, the residency moved to Rimbun Dahan, Malaysia, where Jacek and other Polish instructors led contemporary technique classes and guided participants through creative sessions. The final phase took place in Katowice, Poland, in 2023 where participants from around the world, including India, Georgia, Canada, and Croatia, came together for two weeks of intensive exploration.

“Salam” emerged from phase three and made its debut during the residency’s final showcase. Initially performed in a proscenium setting, the piece was limited in its ability to engage the audience more interactively. However, during the recent showcase at ADC’s studio, the intimate space allowed for closer interaction with the audience, which the dancers eagerly embraced. I was fortunate enough to participate in this new iteration, experiencing the dance from within.

The piece features four dancers: three from ASK Dance Company (Wong Shan Tie, also known as Seraphic Wong, Zulkarnain Zuber, and Nadhirah Rahmat) and one from Poland, Szymon Perczyński, who is currently pursuing his Master’s in dance theater at the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, Poland.

The dancers. From left to right: Wong Shan Tie (Seraphic Wong), Szymon Perczyński, Zulkarnain Zuber and Nadhirah Rahmat

Following the performance, a Q&A session provided a platform for an exchange of ideas between the dancers and the audience, allowing us to offer feedback and gain deeper insights into the creative process. Being a 20-minute work-in-progress, the creators expressed a firm intention to continue developing “Salam” further.

Sharing and QnA sessions with the dancers and Imran Syafiq (centre), the managing director of ASK Dance Company

Thematically, “Salam” delves into the universal yet complex act of greeting. It explores the ways in which people greet each other across different cultures, generations, and contexts. The word “Salam,” derived from Arabic, means peace and is often used as a respectful greeting in Malaysia, whether verbal or physical. While handshakes are common, the dance also incorporates other gestures like hugs, high-fives, shoulder touches, bows, nods, salutes, and even elbow bumps, reflecting the diverse ways people greet one another.

Among the vocabulary used in the dance such as handshakes and hugs and also a chain formation formed by the dancers

This exploration extends beyond Malaysian traditions, thanks to the collaboration with Szymon. When asked about the nuances of Polish greetings compared to those in Malaysia, he highlighted the differences in personal boundaries and space. In Poland, greetings can feel more relaxed, while in Malaysia, there are somewhat tighter constraints in physical contact and observing social norms, particularly when interacting with elders, across genders, or in formal settings. Through “Salam,” the audience gains a glimpse into these cultural contrasts, enriched by the dancers’ residency experience with other international participants.

What I found particularly captivating about “Salam” is its ability to unravel and dissect the seemingly simple act of greeting. Greetings are often the first step in learning a new language and are deeply embedded in cultural identity. Yet, despite their importance, greetings are frequently overlooked or rushed through in language instruction. Reflecting on this during the performance, I realized how easy it is to take greetings for granted.

As a participant in the audience interaction, I had the opportunity to engage with both familiar faces and strangers. This experience mirrored the act of greeting itself—we often greet people we know, but we must also navigate the complexities of greeting those we don’t. The performance made me keenly aware of the subtleties involved in initiating and responding to greetings, whether through verbal or non-verbal cues.

The dancers invite and guide the audience to be part of the dance

During the dance, communication was almost entirely non-verbal. We had to anticipate the dancers’ intentions: Were they going to shake hands, offer an elbow bump, or initiate a hug? This dynamic reflected real-life greetings, where we read social cues to determine the appropriate response. At one point, Nadhirah raised her hand as if to high-five me, and I instinctively responded. But just as I raised my hand, she retracted and shifted to another gesture, illustrating the unpredictability of interactions.

Toward the end of the piece, after the audience participants were released, the dancers continued their performance. In one poignant moment, Szymon extended his hand for a handshake, only to be ignored by the other dancers, who were preoccupied with their own sequences. This moment resonated deeply with me as a reflection of society—sometimes, we are so absorbed in our own lives that we fail to notice others reaching out to us. It was a powerful reminder that greetings are not always reciprocated as we expect.

A video montage of participation in the Roots of Dance Residency in Poland

Thus what impressed me most about “Salam”. Its ability to make me reflect on an everyday action I often take for granted. Through its choreography, “Salam” dissected the act of greeting and presented it in a way that invited contemplation. This, for me, is the essence of what great art can do—it prompts us to look more closely at life, to consider the overlooked details, and, through this newfound awareness, to become more attentive and thoughtful in our interactions.

“Salam” offers an intriguing exploration of greetings as both a cultural practice and a fundamental human interaction. Its ability to provoke thought and invite deeper reflection on the seemingly mundane is a testament to the power of dance and performance art. I am personally looking forward to seeing future iterations of this piece.