Thursday, July 24, 2025
No Result
View All Result
Indonesia Sentinel
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Economic
  • Culture
  • Tech & Science
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Economic
  • Culture
  • Tech & Science
No Result
View All Result
Indonesia Sentinel
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT
Home Culture

Exploring Indonesia’s Traditional Sape: The Iconic String Instrument of Borneo

by Raidi
2024-11-15
in Culture
A A
Sape Instrument

Dayak People playing Sape traditional Instrument (Pinterest)

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp
ADVERTISEMENT

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia, known for its rich cultural heritage, is home to numerous traditional musical instrument, with the Sape from Kalimantan standing out as one of the most renowned. This traditional string instrument, similar to a guitar, is plucked with the fingers and is often featured in the traditional ceremonies of the Dayak tribe.

In the Dayak language, Sape means “to pluck with the fingers,” aptly describing the technique used to play it. The instrument is crafted from select woods such as aro, marong, or pelantan and is adorned with intricate carvings that reflect the distinctive motifs of the Dayak culture. The entire surface of this roughly one-meter-long instrument is often covered with elaborate designs, making each Sape not just a musical instrument but also a work of art.

Interestingly, every province in Kalimantan has its own unique version of the Sape, usually distinguished by the traditional Dayak patterns etched onto the body of the instrument. The Sape resembles a guitar in its construction, with strings that produce melodies when plucked. The sound it generates is beautifully resonant and can be harmonized with modern instruments such as guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards.

RelatedPosts

Istana Berkebaya, Presenting a Message of Love and Empowering Indonesia’s Fashion Industry

The Admiral Cheng Ho Mosque, a Symbol of Diversity of Batam City Society

Traditionally, the Sape is used to accompany various Dayak dances during festive cultural celebrations. Historically, it was also believed to have healing properties, used to accompany rituals intended to cure illnesses.

ADVERTISEMENT

The instruments is also often played during family gatherings and is believed to lift the spirits of family members who may be feeling down or grieving.

Types of Sape

There are two primary types of Sape, differentiated by their scale and structure:

  1. Sape Kayaan: Originating from the Kayaan people, this type of Sape has a wider body with a shorter neck, measuring about one meter in length. It typically features two strings made from plastic and uses a four-note scale. This variant is known for its simpler and more straightforward construction.
  2. Sape Kenyah: This version, associated with the Kenyah people, is longer and slimmer, measuring around 1.5 meters. The Sape Kenyah features a more complex musical scale, usually ranging from 11 to 12 notes. It is strung with guitar strings or fine nylon threads, often in sets of three to five strings.

The Sape Kenyah is recognized for its more intricate sound capabilities, making it a favorite for complex musical compositions.

The Soulful Tunes of the Sape

The music played on the Sape is deeply connected to the emotions of the player and the surrounding environment, reflecting the Dayak community’s close bond with nature. The melodies vary depending on the time of day or the occasion being celebrated.

University of Indonesia Suspends Doctorate for Minister Bahlil Lahadalia Amid Procedural Audit

When played during the day, the Sape produces joyful and lively tunes, full of cheerfulness. However, at night, its melodies turn more melancholic, evoking feelings of sadness and introspection.

During sacred ceremonies, the Sape takes on a more spiritual role, filling the atmosphere with a sense of reverence. The audience becomes silent, fully absorbing the mystical sounds produced by the instrument.

The music is so powerful that it can induce chills, leading participants to recite prayers or chant special mantras. There are even accounts of individuals being possessed by ancestral or spiritual entities in the midst of these ceremonies, as the Sape weaves its enchanting spell.

The Sape traditional music instrument not only serves as a bridge between the past and present but also highlights the rich cultural tapestry of Indonesia, offering a unique musical experience that continues to captivate audiences both locally and internationally.

 

(Raidi/Agung)

Tags: KalimantanmusicSapeTraditionTraditional Instrument
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Pacu Jalur

Indonesia Showcases Pacu Jalur in National Tourism Agenda to Promote Cultural Heritage

2025-07-21

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism has added the traditional Pacu Jalur boat race from Kuantan Singingi, Riau...

Indonesia’s Resonanz Children’s Choir Shines at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Showcasing Country’s Traditional Songs

2025-07-15

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- The Resonanz Children's Choir (TRCC) from Indonesia captivated international audiences with a vibrant performance at the...

Indonesia to Nominate Pacu Jalur Rowing Tradition for UNESCO Cultural Heritage List

2025-07-11

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- The Indonesian Ministry of Culture plans to nominate Pacu Jalur, a centuries-old traditional boat race from...

Beach Lake Toba

Indonesia Plans to Create 22-Kilometer Beach at Lake Toba

2025-07-08

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- The Samosir Regency Government in North Sumatra, Indonesia, has unveiled plans to develop a 22-kilometer stretch...

Pacu Jalur

Indonesia’s Traditional Boat Race “Pacu Jalur” Goes Viral on TikTok with ‘Aura Farming’ Trend

2025-07-06

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- The vibrant Pacu Jalur festival, a century-old longboat racing tradition from Kuantan Singingi Regency in Riau,...

Thousands People from Diverse Ethnic and Religious Community joined Ngertakeun Bumi Lamba Ceremony

2025-06-23

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Mount Tangkuban Parahu Nature Park in Subang, West Java, hosted the 17th Ngertakeun Bumi Lamba ceremony...

world most liveable cities

Copenhagen Tops the Rank of World Most Liveable Cities, Ending Vienna’s Three-Year Reign

2025-06-22

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has released its annual ranking of the world most liveable cities,...

Elephant Conservation

Indonesia Launch Sumatran Elephant Conservation Project on 20,000 Hectares Given by President Prabowo

2025-06-22

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- Indonesia’s has started the development of the Peusangan Elephant Conservation Initiative (PECI) in Aceh, a major...

Dangerous Countries 2025

Global Report Highlights The Most Dangerous and Safest Countries for Travelers in 2025

2025-06-19

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- As global tourism rebounds, safety is becoming just as important as scenery and cuisine when it...

Pecel

Pecel Traditional Culinary from East Java Ranked Among World’s Best Salads

2025-06-17

Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel -- One of Indonesia’s traditional dishes has earned international recognition in the global culinary scene. Pecel, a...

Load More
Next Post
Life Expectancy

Indonesia’s Life Expectancy Rises to 74.15 Years in 2024, Statistics Agency Reports 

Popular

  • Mentawai Tribe

    Mentawai Tribe Tooth Sharpening Tradition as a Symbol of Beauty, Culture, and Sacrifice

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Suku Mante, Mysterious Tribe Living in the Vast Forests of Aceh

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Indonesia’s Life Expectancy Rises to 74.15 Years in 2024, Statistics Agency Reports 

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • TikTok Shop GMV 2024 Hits $32.6 Billion, Indonesia Second Largest Contributor

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Indonesia Boasts an Outstanding Number of Islands, How Many?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recommended

Food Aid

Indonesia Bans Online Gamblers from Receiving Government Food Aid

1 week ago
Global Population

Global Population Continues to Increase, Indonesia Ranks 4 World’s Most Populous Countries

5 months ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Indonesiasentinel.com is an independent online news portal committed to providing accurate, in-depth, and up-to-date news about Indonesia. Since 2021, we have been a trusted source for millions of readers seeking relevant and reliable news.

Part of:

Information Page

  • About
  • Editorial
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • About
  • Editorial
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Contact

  • contact@indonesiasentinel.com
© 2021 Indonesia Sentinel

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Economic
  • Culture
  • Tech & Science

© 2024 Indonesia Sentinel