Stephen overcomes physical handicap to take part in sape competition
MIRI: Being handicapped has not stop Stephen Kayang Aloi from competing with other sape players in numerous competitions as he has confidence in his own talent.
“Most of the time, in sape competitions, I am treated just like the rest of the contestants. They all see me as a challenge that should not be taken lightly,” he said.
“I am happy because both my friends and other contestants do not see me as an OKU. They do not care about that, they see me as a challenge,” he told The Borneo Post when met during the Gawai Dayak Bazaar Sape Competition 2017 at Emart Riam last Tuesday night.
The competition was organised by Gagasan Anak Dayak Sarawak (GADS).
Although he only won the third place in this competition, earning a cash prize, a trophy and a certificate, Stephen was satisfied because according to him, the contest gave him the opportunity to meet and compete against other sape players.
During the competition, Stephen played a traditional sape number entitled ‘ Lamsam’, using a sape which was handmade personally for him by his father.
Stephen hoped that such sape competitions can continuously be held in the future, during every annual Gawai Dayak Bazaar.
“I hope that sape music can be highlighted more often, even up to higher levels through efforts like the one made by GADS today,” he said adding that GADS is the first Dayak based non- governmental organisation to hold a sape competition as part of its Gawai Bazaar activities.
“I hope that in the future, GADS can hold this sape competition in two categories – one contemporary and another traditional. These two categories are very different and can be difficult to be competed in the same category,” he said.
The winner of the competition was Aaron Alan Robert while the second place went to Watson Tase’ Batu.
The fourth and fifth place winners were Hazekiah Agam and Garry Sudom Raymond respectively.
Prizes were presented to the winners by GADS president Vicky Gulin Shandom and the organising chairman of the bazaar, Patrick Uban.