Sarawakian teenager breaks cultural barriers by learning the sape

Elizabeth (left) and Ivana are among the growing number of female sape players in Sarawak. Photo: Elizabeth Bungan

Ivana Anz Eddie, 14, is one of the most popular students at Kuching’s SMK Penrissen No.1. Teachers and students know her by name because she’s one of the two female sape players in school.

“My teachers and schoolmates are impressed that I can play the traditional instrument. I’m among the handful of girls they know who owns a sape. In the past two years, I’ve also represented the school in a few inter-school sape competitions and Sarawak Tourism Board’s cultural event, Tenun 2019, ” says Ivana over the phone from Kuching recently.