With basic training, the students can now play a variety of folk and modern songs. – Photos: Bernama
The gentle strumming of the ukulele – a guitar-like instrument often associated with Hawaii’s beaches – has become an unexpected pull, drawing Orang Asli children from the indigenous Jakun tribe deep within Johor’s rural areas to school.
It all began in 2020, when Mastra Irfa Nasrun, 32, a teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sayong Pinang, founded Koleh Buskers, a ukulele club that now boasts 24 members – 11 from SK Sayong Pinang and 13 from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Linggiu.
Although she had no formal background in music, the Physical Education teacher was determined to use her passion creatively in the classroom.
The Koleh Buskers, made up of Orang Asli pupils, perform with the ukulele as their main instrument. The group won second place in the 2024 Malaysia Ukulele Song Competition and ranked fifth overall.
She developed her own teaching method using only basic chords such as C, G, A, and F instead of musical notation – making it easier for students to learn songs.
“I’m not a music teacher, but I love singing and have always admired people who can play musical instruments.
"So, I learned the basics of music when I was young, and now I teach my students using a simple chord-based module,” she said at SK Sayong Pinang, an Orang Asli school in Kota Tinggi.
Her simple approach has proven effective – the students can now play a variety of folk and modern songs, and the group even placed second in the Malaysia Ukulele Song Competition (MUSC) 2024 and fifth this year, out of 20 competing schools.
Music teacher Mastra (centre) poses with her students, who are also members of the Koleh Buskers group, at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sayong Pinang.
However, for her, the ukulele club is about more than just music.
Through the club, she has witnessed a positive change in the students’ attitudes – they are more eager to attend school and have become quicker learners in other subjects.
“Since we introduced music activities at SK Sayong Pinang, the students have become more excited to come to school – not just for the music, but because it makes school a fun place to be,” said Mastra, who also receives support from Orang Asli artiste Alias Awang.
The Koleh Buskers take the stage at a community event, charming the audience with their lively performance.
Originally from Rompin, Pahang, she said many students initially joined only to learn the ukulele.
However, over time, the music sessions became a gateway to changing their attitude toward learning.
“When they come for music, they stay at school. From there, they learn more than just music – they learn discipline, focus, and teamwork. Gradually, their attendance improved,” said Mastra, who has been teaching there since 2018.
Despite facing financial constraints at the start due to the high cost of musical instruments, Mastra remained undeterred.
Today, the club she founded owns 23 ukuleles, thanks to donations from various parties, and has received numerous invitations to perform.
To date, the club owns 23 ukuleles, thanks to donations from various parties.
Aiming to win the MUSC championship, she now focuses on highlighting Orang Asli cultural uniqueness and collaborates with SMK Linggiu to ensure her former primary students continue playing the ukulele when they move on to secondary school.
“The SMK Linggiu students who play the ukulele are the same ones I taught back in SK Sayong Pinang. That’s why I still help the school coordinate and train them for performances,” she said.
Meanwhile, Fiona Maylyana Azman, 15, who joined the ukulele club in primary school, said taking part in competitions such as MUSC taught her about discipline and teamwork.
“I used to be shy and scared to perform on stage. But after many practices and performances, I got used to it. Now, I’m confident playing in front of crowds,” said Fiona, who is now one of Koleh Buskers’ lead players. – Bernama
