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KUCHING, June 27: Passionate participants at the recent Sape Camp 2023 embraced the teachings of renowned sape legend Mathew Ngau Jau as they breathed life into their creations, revitalising Sarawak’s musical legacy during the sape-making workshop at Lan E Tuyang in Bau.
Lan E Tuyang, a sanctuary of heritage located in Bau, some 45 minutes’ drive from Kuching, served as the perfect backdrop for this transformative session. It is both Mathew’s residence and the location of his sape workshop.
With unparalleled expertise and a dedication to preserving the cultural legacy of Sarawak, Mathew stands as the torchbearer of a centuries-old tradition.
According to a media release, the workshop began with a melodic welcome from Mathew, who serenaded the eager participants with soul-stirring sape music. The enchanting notes echoed through the air, establishing a connection between the young enthusiasts and the age-old musical heritage they were about to witness.
Crafting sape is an intricate process. Typically spanning months, the creation of a single sape requires meticulous attention to detail and a profound understanding of the instrument’s essence.
However, for this special demonstration, Mathew had prepared five sapes in advance, expertly carved and ready for the participants to add on their personal touch.
Surrounded by young participants, the master craftsman explained each step with passion and clarity, unravelling the secrets behind shaping the sape’s frame, buffing its surface, designing unique patterns, and adding vibrant colours.
Each stroke of the sandpaper and every stroke of the paintbrush were a testament to the profound bond between the artist and the instrument.
Under Mathew’s watchful guidance, the participants carefully affixed strings, an essential element that would breathe life into their creations. Each string resonated with a purpose, regenerating the legacy of Sarawak’s musical heritage.
Through this immersive experience, the participants not only acquired traditional aged-long skills but also absorbed a deep appreciation for the cultural significance of the sape.
Beyond the physical act of crafting an instrument, they witnessed the power of unity, collaboration, and shared creativity.
The sape thus became a symbol of harmony, transcending borders and generations and forging connections that went beyond the workshop’s confines.
As the sape took its final shape, the room gradually filled with a profound sense of achievement and satisfaction. At that moment, the young participants had not only crafted an indigenous musical instrument but also embodied the spirit of unity and the desire for cultural preservation.
Through their shared experiences, they had formed those lasting connections and instinctively became custodians of Sarawak’s cultural heritage.
The sape-making demonstration at Lan E Tuyang served as a testament to the power of arts and music in fostering unity and transcending boundaries.
Mathew’s unwavering commitment to sharing his expertise and passion for the sape left an indelible mark on the young participants. Their journey had just begun, but their hearts and minds were forever transformed by the enchanting melodies and the magical craft of sape making.
As the sun set over Lan E Tuyang, the legacy of Sarawak’s musical heritage burned brighter than ever, carried forward by the hands and hearts of a new generation, united in their love for the sape.
Hosted by Yayasan Perpaduan Sarawak (YPS), this unique camp aimed to foster cultural exchange and inspire the next generation of enthusiasts interested in adding the sape to their repertoire of musical instruments.
The theme “Unity without Borders” reflected the camp’s unique strategic intention of using the sape to bring youths together from all over Malaysia with diverse backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration.
YPS believes that sape, as a musical instrument, can unite people, and through the camp, it will empower similar efforts with its motto “Sape is an iconic vehicle that takes us along the road to a destination we called unity. A place where we can be happily together”.
The Sape Camp, which spanned four days started on June 19, offered an enriching experience that included lectures, practical sessions, stage performances, and a sape-making demonstration.
The camp had invited respected figures in the sape music industry, including renowned sape maestro Jerry Kamit, composer and Sarawak cultural heritage expert Narawi Rashidi, and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) senior lecturer from the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts, Dr Connie Lim.
“Sape Camp 2023: Unity Without Borders” successfully celebrated Sarawak’s rich musical legacy, promoting intercultural understanding and unity.
The camp’s closing ceremony on June 22 marked the participants’ graduation from the camp, as they became “YPS Sape Ambassadors” committed to pursuing the sape as their instrument of choice and incorporating sape music into their repertoire in their music careera. These ambassadors will proudly share their musical journey, even if the sape is not their native instrument. — DayakDaily
