wonderful sound of sape

Wonderful Sound of Sape

Wonderful Borneo and born with colourful of ethnic, now we are at Sarawak Cultural Village for the first time in Kuching,Sarawak.The place must visit by tourist when come at Kuching. Borneo having more instrument. Difference ethnic may difference instrument. During our trip along way of Iban Longhouse…suddenly… we heard softness and unique of sound from another Longhouse. That sound make us interested to find where the sound come from. In assorted, that sound of unique melody come from Ulu House, and we found man are playing thing that similar with guitar but the shape are weird. The softness sound come out from instrument that call “SAPE”. This “sape” are first practice by Ulu people ethnic then follow by Dayak people ethnic. Ulu people called “sape” is “sapeh”.

picture from google

The beauty of sound that produced, has attracted the attention of every visitor for more focus on the music device of “sape”. The softness of the resulting of melody also seemed to mesmerize every visitor who comes visit. Each timber that is used to generate the kind of loose must also be of high quality.

We have meet the “sape” player, his name is Mr.John. We have interviewed him for take some information of “sape”. He told that “sapeh” or “sape” or “sampet” is a traditional lute of many of the Ulu people or “upriver people”, who live in the longhouses that line the rivers of Central Borneo. In the last century, “sape” gradually became a social instrument to accompany dances or as a form instrument of entertainment.

picture from google

Wood will be left to dry under a hot light until completely dry and paliable.A little mistake will ineritably destroy the wood work subtitly.Unique derivable in woodworking will make it attractive to visitors. Refinement work completed wood to form “sape” then the next step is to engrave the “sape”.

There are many kinds of sculptures that can be engraved on the surface of the sculptures “sape”. Each of it will make it unique and different of “sape”. After that, the loose will be paired with delicate stramps that will produce a very unique sound and different of “sape” only has three strings that used. Then, prepare the production of a “sape” very complicated and consuming time to use the “sape”,said Mr.John.

picture from google

Today,three or four or five strings instruments are used with a range of more than three octaves. Sound of technically, “sape” is a relatively single instrument, with one string carrying the melody and the accompanying strings as rhythmic drones.

Mr John said,when in practice, the music is quite complex,with many ornamentations and thematic variation. He also said,there are two common modes one for the men’s Longhouse dance. There also is a third rarely used mode. The overall repertoire is slowly increasing.

picture from our trip to sarawak cultural village

“Sape” are still by made in Borneo and nowadays, there have modern innovations like    electric “sape” are common. There also, “sape” have been played at international country for         awards. “Sape” has been known by every people not just in Sarawak but in International level.

“Sape” is a wonderful of melody and unique. Moreover, “sape” music is inspired by dreaming and there are over 35 traditional pieces with many variations. Overall, Sarawak people must be glad because have instrument that have special music on it. This trip is a memorial trip for us and the sound of “sape” still resounded. “Sape” is the best instrument that ever seen in this world.

Written by,

Nurhayati Salim.

Yenny Hasmida binti Karim.

Cynthia Rinda.

Anne Nubur.