The Sape or Sambe is a stringed instrument which is played by the Dayak people of Kalimantan in Indonesia. The instrument is large and is carved out of a piece of wood from a fallen meranti tree. It has three or more strings and they are plucked in performance.
This is the only traditional stringed instrument which is used by the Dayaks. In earlier times the strings were made from various vegetable matter but these days they tend to be thun wire strings. These create a louder sound and give the instrument more power to be heard in the large “betang” houses in which they live communally. Their music covers all moods and can bring sad moments or joyous dance alive.
The video was made circa 1987.
Possibly to be compared with the sasando from the Island of Rote in NTT because of its delicate sound the sampe is an unusual instrument. Unlike other Indonesian plucked stringed instruments which go together under the name of “kecapi” it tends to be played solo and in a quiet setting. The instrument is often ornamented with Dayak motifs which can include the hornbill
These days the instrument is often equipped with guitar pick-ups on the strings and can be played through an amplifier. They are found in various types of ensemble throughout the archipelago.
21 сен 2024
