There are many traditional music instruments that can be found in Sabah and Sarawak that are still being produced – and used, whether in traditional performances or infused in contemporary music – today.
Some of these instruments, like the gong and kulintangan, may have originated from other places in the region, but they have been used in traditional rituals and ceremonies of many ethnic groups in Sabah and Sarawak for centuries.
A handful of native instruments can still be found today in the two states, like the sape, sompoton and tongunggak, but a few are becoming extinct as not many people are skilled at playing or making them.
Here are a few Bornean music instruments that you can check out:
Thin bamboo pieces (usually seven) are inserted into a drumstick-shaped gourd that has been emptied and dried up until it is hard. At the end of the gourd is a small opening for the player to blow into or suck out of.
This is a very rare music instrument and it seems like different versions of it are found in different areas in Sarawak.
The sompoton from Sabah may be similar to the engkerurai, but can sound quite different.
On the surface, the main difference would be that the sompoton has eight bamboo pipes attached to the gourd and are arranged flat in two layers of different heights.
The sompoton is played by the Kadazan and Dusun ethnic communities, and is very popular even among youngsters today. They are also sold as souvenirs.
Regarded as Sarawak’s most “celebrated” instrument, the sape is crafted from a bole of wood, and usually beautifully decorated with ethnic motifs.
Typically a lute, the sape is traditionally played by the Kenyah and Kayan people of Sarawak. It has four strings, where one string plays the melody, and three are for the bass.
The sape is a popular instrument not just in Sarawak or Malaysia, but internationally, too, thanks to artistes like Alena Murang and Saufi Aiman, as well as sape master Mathew Ngau Jau.
A similar instrument can be found in Sabah – the sekafi is a short-necked, three-stringed lute of the Lundayeh people, but is no longer as commonly played today as the sape.
The Turali is a nose flute played by the Kadazan and Dusun folks in Sabah, and is made from a particular type of bamboo.
A hole is punched at one end – where the player blows into – and another four holes are made on the body.
Traditionally, the turali is only played when someone dies or during sad events, but these days they are also played when receiving guests during celebrations.
In Sarawak, a similar instrument called the selingut or keringot can be found.
This is a wooden xylophone that has between nine and 20 bars arranged like a bridge, and then placed on two pieces of string, atop a hollow wooden box.
Each bar is the same size and shape, and is struck with wooden sticks to produce a pleasant sound.
The jatung utang, as well as a handful of other instruments, is experiencing a revival of sorts now in Sarawak as passionate cultural advocates are looking at ways to preserve the traditional craft of making them.
This bamboo xylophone is a musical instrument of the Suluk people, and can be found in parts of the Philippines too.
The gabbang in Sabah normally has between 14 and 22 pieces of bamboo that are nailed or tied and attached to a hollow base, with cloth or rubber bands as separators.
The bamboo pieces are cut in different sizes, and arranged accordingly – from biggest to smallest.
A gabbang is usually played during weddings.
Made from bronze or brass, the engkerumong comprises a set of small gongs arranged on a horizontal rack.
This instrument is often played during Hari Gawai in Sarawak or other merry festivals by Iban womenfolk.
Traditionally played by the Bajau folks in Sabah on festive occasions, they are now accompanied by the larger gongs, especially when played by the Kadazan and Dusun people during their rituals. The kulintangan can also be found in Brunei.
The togunggak is a bamboo idiophone instrument similar to the angklung from Indonesia, that is played as an accompaniment to the brass gongs during festivities in Sabah. They are usually played by the Murut, Kadazan and Dusun folks.
A set of togunggak comprises between six and 30 pieces – depending on who plays them – so they are normally played in a group.
They are still produced and played today, especially during Kaamatan or the Harvest Festival in Sabah.
Visit the gallery
To learn more, check out the Malaysia’s Traditional Music Instruments Exhibition at the Music Gallery in Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur. The gallery is open daily from 9am to 5pm, except on the first and second days of Hari Raya.
Sources:
- lNational Department for Culture & Arts (https://pemetaanbudaya.jkkn.gov.my/culture)
- lKadazandusun Cultural Association (kdca.org.my)
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
