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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

9 comments:

Jama said...

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

magiceye said...

would be fun!

Jay said...

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! :)

Hildred said...

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.

rainfield61 said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.

Roger Owen Green said...

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

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Ebie said...

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

Rajesh said...

Fantastic choice. I have not seen that instrument before.