Many villages in rural Sarawak continue to lack access to technology. Despite the limitations, culture and traditions continue to play an important role in these communities. When describing the many Kenyah longhouses in the Ulu Baram of Sarawak, one can hear the melodies of numerous folk songs.
Each rhythm sung kept the settlers entertained from generation to generation. However, as many younger Kenyahs leave their hometown for a greener pasture in the city, modernity gradually seeps into their blood as the old replaces the new.
Motivated by the desire to preserve the Kenyah folk songs for the next generation, Miss World Malaysia 2018 Larissa Ping Liew and her family recently organised a workshop. Larissa said that the Belian Kenyah Workshop, held at the Telang Usan Hotel in Kuching, aimed to bring together young people to learn how to sing and dance their folk songs.
“The four songs we learned at this workshop are common throughout the village. The purpose of this workshop is so that when the young Kenyah visits their village, they will know how to sing, how to respond, and may participate and feel like they belong,” said the 24-year-old.
Larissa shared that this was her problem in the past when she visited her village in Long San, Ulu Baram. She recalled taking a Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak (MAIS) class and that it was beneficial as she remembered what she learned even after all these years.
“Hence, I’d like to share that opportunity with others. I am grateful that many young Kenyahs attended the workshop, especially those whose family hometowns are in Long San and Long Julan. I am also grateful to the elders for coming. Just being here instilled confidence in the song leaders.”
Among the songs taught was the popular Kenyah folk song “Liling”. Despite the fact that “Liling” is a well-known song in the city, Larissa said that few people knew how to dance it correctly or when to pause.
During the workshop, participants stood up enthusiastic to learn “Liling” — “The elders really took their time and effort to teach them how to walk, when to sing the chorus, when to stop, and so on. They taught the participants exactly how we would do it in the longhouse,” Larissa said.
A favourite way to pass the time in the village, Larissa also mentioned that Kenyah folk songs are sung to welcome guests to the longhouse.
“In the village, we always welcome visitors, no matter who they are. After dinner, we would gather in the ruai to sing and dance, led by the village’s head or elder.”
When asked about the tunes and rhythms of each folk song, and how they vary from village to village, Larissa said that Kenyah songs are spontaneous.
“If you grew up in the village, harmony and singing style are quite natural.
“People have asked me for the notes or keys to any songs, and I’ve told them that there are none. It all depends on the leader, and it comes pretty naturally. Furthermore, every village has its own distinctive Kenyah slang when singing the songs,” she added.
Also present during the workshop was Chong Pek Lin, former teacher and author of the book “Songs from the Kenyah Community”. Chong’s book has over 100 songs from the Kenyah community, with the meanings translated and piano notes added.
