Berahi: Holy Unions
Berahi: Holy Unions
Berahi: Holy Unions explores the delicate interplay between attraction and decorum from the flicker of subtle charm to the bold expression of “berahi” (sexual arousal in Malay).
Partners in life and art, Norhaizad Adam and Hasyimah Harith investigate how cultural codes and traditions shape the ways we perform intimacy, desire, and social grace through bodily ritual and poetic charm.
Grounded in movement research and framed by a historical-sociological lens, Berahi: Holy Unions draws from “Perhimpunan Gunawan bagi Laki-Laki dan Perempuan” (A Compendium of Charms for Men and Women), a 1911 Malay sexual manuscript by Khadijah Terung.
Presented at
Latitudes for cont.act festival, Singapore, 2026
#Danceless Complex, Hong Kong, 2026
Dancehouse, Melbourne, 2025 (Residency)
Ergao Dance Production Group, China, 2024 (Residency)
Esplanade da:ns Lab, Singapore, 2024 (Residency)
Dance Nucleus Element#18, Singapore 2023 (Residency)
Credits
Choreography - Norhaizad Adam and Hasyimah Harith
Performers - Norhaizad Adam and Hasyimah Harith
Dramaturg - Lim How Ngean
Sound design - Bani Haykal
Voice Over - Siti Khalijah
Lighting design - Wong Ka Ki
Set design - Yanki Lau
Costume design - Khairullah Rahim
Original text - Khadijah Terung
Translation (Malay & English) - Syahirah Rasheed
Supported by
National Arts Council Singapore
Dance Nucleus Singapore
Unlock Dancing Plaza Hong Kong
Dancehouse Melbourne
Ergao Dance Production Group