Written by Nur Assura Ainna binti Hamdi
Kota Samarahan, June 9, 2025 – The “Sape’ and the Soul of Borneo: Heritage, Identity & Future” seminar held at Central Teaching Facilities 2, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) had successfully drew over 80 participants. The event brought together students, artists, academics, and cultural enthusiasts from Kota Samarahan and Kuching. Students from various UNIMAS’s faculties, such as Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts (FACA), Faculty of Education, Language and Communication (FELC), Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT), Faculty of Resource Science and Technology (FRST), and the Faculty of Cognitive Sciences and Human Development (FCSHD), were also in attendance.
Organized by third-year Arts Management students, the seminar aimed to spark conversations about the sape’—a traditional Orang Ulu musical instrument—as a symbol of cultural heritage and how the younger generation can preserve it in a modern context.
The seminar’s highlight was Mr Mathew Ngau Jau, a professional sape’ musician and recipient of the Living Human Treasure Award from the Department of National Heritage. Mathew has represented Malaysia on numerous international stages, including Paris, Tokyo, and London, and has been featured in global art documentaries and cultural programs promoting Borneo’s heritage. His distinguished awards include the Malaysia National Heritage (2015), Sarawak State Art and Culture Figure (2016), Star Golden Hearts Award (2019), Hai-O Arts & Culture Grants Award for Lifetime Achievement (2022), and Anugerah Adiguru ASWARA (2022).
The exclusive seminar also featured a live sape’ performance, an instrument demonstration, and an interactive Q&A session with the audience.
“The sape’ is not just a musical instrument; it is a soul, it unites, it tells stories, and it heals. We need to bring this voice to the world,” Mr Mathew shared during his insightful session.
Mr Mathew also expressed his delight and pride that the sape’ is now gaining popularity and being played throughout Malaysia, not just in Sarawak.
Nur Assura Ainna Hamdi, Program Director, expressed her satisfaction with the overwhelming response to the “Sape’ and the Soul of Borneo” seminar. She highlighted the community’s keen interest in heritage preservation, particularly among the youth who actively engaged in the Q&A session. “Mr. Mathew’s commitment goes beyond music; it’s about conserving and nurturing the sape’ as a living heritage of the Kenyah community,” Nur Assura Ainna Hamdi stated, quoting a representative from the organizing committee. “We hope that organizing seminars like this will ignite a passion for local culture, particularly among the younger generation.”
