SIBU: The enchanting melodies of the traditional Sape instrument echo through the Dataran Tuanku Bujang here during the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) 2023.
Among the performers during the festival were the five young and budding musicians and they are Delphina Eda (Kuching), Gloria Lirrek (Bintulu), Harish Abdullah (Mukah), Darren Mengga (Kuching) and Selindan Sari (Perak).
They are proudly known as the Yayasan Peraduan Sarawak (YPS) Sape ambassadors, who left an incredible mark on the closing ceremony of BCF.
“The performance, which was held last Sunday has served as an opening act for the closing ceremony, ensuring the mesmerising sounds of the Sape lingered in the memories,” YPS said in a press release yesterday.
It added that the journey of the ambassadors began with the Sape Camp, which was a four-day programme organised by YPS in June of this year.
“The purpose of the camp is to nurture and hone the musical talent of aspiring musicians, and upon finishing the programme, the talented individuals were bestowed the title of “YPS Sape Ambassadors”.
“We expressed our intention to hold similar programmes in the future, thereby providing a continuous platform for young musicians to display their string-playing abilities,” it added.
YPS then said that its ambassadors’ performance extended beyond merely showcasing traditional music.
“”It serves as a symbolic representation of unity, exemplifying how the universal language of music can bring together individuals from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds,” it added.
On another note, YPS stated that the amalgamation of talents was a testament to the power of cultural exchange and collaboration in fostering the national unity.
“One exceptional musician, Selindang Sari, or Endang as she is fondly called, has garnered special attention during the performance. Hailing from the Semai tribe in Peninsular Malaysia, Endang holds the distinction of being the first member of the Orang Asli community to master the Sape.
“To honour her heritage, she performed an original song composition in her native language, titled ‘Bunga Kantan’, leaving the audience in awe of her unique blend of tradition and innovation,” it added.
YPS also stated that its involvement in the BCF is way beyond its artistic and cultural significance.
“Our involvement proves to be a strategic move to enhance our corporate image and branding.
“By showcasing the Sape Ambassadors on a prominent stage, we have succeeded in reaching a wider audience, allowing more people to understand and appreciate our mission and vision,” it added.
It then stated that the impact of the performance stretched beyond the immediate audience, as it was a crucial stepping stone for the Sape ambassadors to potentially reach even bigger international audience in the future.
For the record, the BCF takes place annually in Sibu, celebrating the rich cultural diversity of Borneo.
Regarded as one of the biggest festival here, it first began in 2002 and has steadily gained popularity over the years.
Organised by the Sibu Municipal Council, the festival received support from private agencies, associations, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
