Preserving the legacy of the Sarawakian sape

'The important thing when you make a sape, is that you make it from the heart, you choose the right wood and you have good intentions,' says Mathew. Photo: The Star/Muhamad Shahril Rosli

In the heart of Borneo’s lush rainforests, where the whispers of nature intertwine with the melodies of tradition, lives a man whose life has become a symphony dedicated to preserving the soulful sounds of the sape.

Mathew Ngau Jau, 72, a revered figure among the Orang Ulu community, has recently been honoured with a BOH Cameronian Lifetime Achievement Arts award for his loyalty and commitment to the music that courses through his veins.