Sape' Traditional Music

Sape is the only musical instrument of the indigenous ethnic groups of Sarawak which still flourishes and has made its presence stronly felt both at home and internationally.It is carved from a tree trunk which is of medium hardness and the Meranti species are the favoured wood.The shape is elongated rectangular with a homogeneous neck extending from one end of the body. The top side of the long narrow body is usually decorated with carvings or painted motifs of the Kayan,kenyah and Penan groups.The back side of the body is always left open.The present day Sape usually has 4 wire strings running parallel from one end of the body to the end of the neck,much like the guitar.In the olden days when wire strings were not available, finely split rattan were used.Many sape are also decorated or attached with the head of the hornbill or dragon at the end of their necks, making them more splendid and appealing.The Sape is usually played in pairs and accompanied by a group of both male and female dancers adorned in their finest costumes. Sarawak has produced many talented and famed Sape players who are tourism ambassadors of the country, promoting the rich cultural and natural assets of the country to the world.