Sape exhibition gathers international instrumentalists
SIBU: The beauty of ‘sape’ is known not only in Sarawak, but is also appreciated by many people around the world.
This was highlighted at the ‘Sape Show and Exhibition 2017’ at Sibu Heritage Centre yesterday, themed ‘With Sape, We Unite’.
The event – organised by Sibu Dayak Sape Club (SDSC) with support from Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), Sibu Heritage Centre and Borneo Events Entertainment – not only hosted homegrown sape master Jerry Kamit and his contemporaries Saufi, Eugene, Jimpau and Anderson Kalang, it also gathered international instrumentalists such as Uyau Morris and Tabunesia, both from Indonesia; Arai from Japan; Abisheg from India; and Julian Cottet from Spain.
According to SDSC chairman Anthony Abong, the traditional Sarawak musical instrument has the power to unite people from different regions with different racial, religious and social backgrounds.
“All of them know one another through sape – the instrument that unites all these music enthusiasts,” he said.
On the event, Anthony said the objective was to promote the ‘sape and its beauty’ to the rest of the world, adding that the exhibition was part of the programme lineup under the Visit Sibu Year 2017 campaign and it also coincided with this year’s Sibu International BASE Jump event.
“Among the activities are the exhibitions on sape and its evolution, demonstration on sape-making and playing, handicraft bazaar, a display of Dayak traditional costumes and accessories, musical shows and sape busking,” he added
The opening ceremony yesterday was witnessed by STB Sibu administrative assistant Siti Nabzah and Borneo Event Entertainment production manager Justin Teng.
The SDSC was officially registered with Registrar of Societies (ROS) on April 13 last year. It is still opening membership for those interested in sape.