Thursday, June 3, 2010

ABC Wednesday, T for Tribal Music




http://abcwednesdayround3.blogspot.com/

When you visit Sarawak in Borneo, especially this week during the Gawai or harvest festival, there will be a lot of feasting and dancing. You will hear the music of the indigenous people.

The sape is one of the string instruments from the lute family, which has a short neck.
It is made from soft wood, usually the meranti's. The sape has quite an elongated body which is hollowed out and functions as a resonator. I was entertained by this musician when I went to Mulu Caves. Some one fondly dubbed it as the Sarawak guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGN50vL3OaAT

See a traditional dance from Sarawak.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrn_oGiq0DQ&feature=related

This last piece is played by a Kelabit, my brother in law K and Sis in law A are Kelabits from the Bario Highlands in Borneo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0qSPHqV9wU&feature=related
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9 comments:

  1. JamaJune 4, 2010 at 1:26 AM

    I wonder what they call the instrument? I've only heard and see it on tv, it makes such beautiful melodious sound.

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  2. magiceyeJune 4, 2010 at 2:05 AM

    would be fun!

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  3. JayJune 4, 2010 at 5:58 AM

    Sounds very much like a cross between a guitar and a harpsicord! Quite lovely!

    On behalf of the team, thanks for taking part in ABC Wednesday this week! :)

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  4. HildredJune 4, 2010 at 6:59 AM

    Beautiful music Ann, and the dancer is lovely and graceful. Thank you for visiting, - the header flowers on my blog are columbine, a nice early spring perennial that blooms on into June.

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  5. rainfield61June 4, 2010 at 7:42 AM

    The slogan says, "Satu Malaysia", but I have not visited Sarawak and know little about this state. Sigh.

    P/S: I am like most of the people in Malaysia, need "rehabilitation" in a factory. I like to, but not able to be a jungle guide.

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  6. AnonymousJune 4, 2010 at 9:00 AM

    I listened to the sape video; such a lovely sound. I will forward this blog post onto my husband. He likes musical instruments of all kinds.

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  7. Roger Owen GreenJune 5, 2010 at 2:22 AM

    My late father used to play guitar; if he lived there, that'd probably be what he would be playing.

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  8. EbieJune 5, 2010 at 7:29 PM

    I love to listen to the music of string instruments. Although I have heard this one play yet!

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  9. RajeshJune 6, 2010 at 9:14 PM

    Fantastic choice. I have not seen that instrument before.

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