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SAPE
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Introduction and history
The sape is a traditional stringed musical instrument found in the Orang Ulu community in Sarawak. Traditionally, this instrument is closely associated with the musical art of the Kenyah, Kayan, and Kelabit tribes and was originally played only during healing ceremonies in the longhouse. With changes in the lifestyle of these tribes, the sape has gradually evolved into a social and popular cultural instrument, serving as a medium or element for general entertainment.
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The basic material for making the sape is the trunk of a whitish-colored tree. The trunk is cut to a length of about one meter and a width of 40 centimeters to create a sape. Although the original sape was less than one meter long and only fitted with two rattan strings and three frets, modern sape instruments now have five strings. These strings are supported by wooden frets that can be tightened or loosened using wooden pegs.
The sape is a solo musical instrument that typically plays melodies with special themes inspired by dreams. There are specific compositions for various ceremonies and situations. These ceremonies include weddings, the birth of a child, harvest seasons, the rainy season, and other significant events in the daily life of the Orang Ulu community. The sape is played while sitting cross-legged on the floor and is used to accompany dances, such as the Ngajat dance, which is a warrior dance, and the Datun Julud. When used for dance performances, typically two sape instruments are played. Both sape instruments need to be tuned to two different pitches, low and high. The sape is often accompanied by other instruments, such as the jatung utang, which is a wooden xylophone.
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Reference Source
Bahan Bacaan
Mohamed Ghouse Nasaruddin. (2007). Traditional Malaysian Music. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.
Patricia Matusky & Tan Sooi Beng. (2012). Muzik Malaysia: Tradisi Klasik, Rakyat dan Sinkretik. The Asian Centre.
Location
State JKKN Contact Information
Encik Boniface Anak Babai
Cultural Officer
Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Sarawak
Tingkat 5 Bangunan Sultan Iskandar,
Jalan Simpang Tiga,
93000, Kuching,
SARAWAK
019-2399682/082-422006
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