Club aims to preserve traditional sape music

SIBU: A club has been established here with the objective of preserving the traditional sape music.

The Sibu Dayak Sape Club ( KSDS) recently formed a pro tem committee tasked with promoting the traditional sape music among the younger generation.

KSDS pro tem chairman Anthony Abong said Sibu was the first division / district in the state that had established a sape club.

“Many of the well-known sape players are from other divisions such as Kuching, Miri and Bintulu, but they do not set up any club. Through KSDS, we hope to set an example for others to establish similar clubs because sape can unite the Dayaks as well as to further develop traditional sape music among young people,” he told reporters after the pro tem committee meeting recently.

Anthony said KSDS kicked off its membership registration on July 4 last year – now, it has almost 40 members.

“This has allowed us to form a pro tem committee, to help facilitate our coming registration with the Registry of Societies ( ROS),” he added.

Other members of the pro tem committee are Jackery Chukan ( deputy chairman), Elizabeth Bungan Peter (secretary), Albinus Danggang (assistant secretary), Terrence Lin (treasurer) and Ramli Bicha ( assistant treasurer).

Watt Zacchaeus helps with the publicity, while Bass Tuba is a committee member.

Anthony said they would apply for ROS registration soon and upon approval later, they would appoint an advisor and other office- bearers during the inaugural general meeting.

The pro tem meeting was also attended by Sarawak Dayak National Union ( SDNU) Sibu chairman Chambai Lindong and Sarawak Gagong Club chairman Jabang Juntan.

After the meeting, Anthony and Jackery handed over their self- made sape to Jabang and club member Raphael Ampi to show acceptance of their memberships.