Renewed interest among younger generation for the sape

Syafiqah (second from left), who is part of Ilu Leto, Sarawak’s first all-women sape group, at the 2018 World Music Festival in Taipei, Taiwan. — Photos: NURUL SYAFIQAH YUSOP

Sarawakian sape player Nurul Syafiqah Yusop is focusing on making the traditional musical instrument popular again, particularly among the younger generation.

Syafiqah, 34, has been in the music scene for quite some time now. She is part of Sarawak’s first female sape group called Ilu Leto, which means “we, the ladies” in the native Kenyah language. Syafiqah herself is of Chinese and Iban descent.