#SHOWBIZ: 'Sape queen' Alena Murang brings Borneo's sacred sound to the world [WATCH]

TODAY, whenever anyone speaks of the beautiful sounds of the sape — Borneo's stylish traditional lute — one Sarawakian immediately comes to mind: Alena Murang.

The 37-year-old musician, who is of Kelabit, British and Italian descent from Kuching, is a passionate advocate for traditional Bornean music.

She believes this ancient art form can elevate world music when paired with modern technology.

Always optimistic that traditional sape music will soon break into the mainstream, Alena reveals that her musical journey started with a very different instrument.

"While I'm a pioneer musician in my family, we are pretty much music lovers. I actually learnt the guitar first when I was 8, graduating to the sape two years later," Alena said in an interview.

When asked if learning the guitar was a prerequisite to playing the sape, she clarified: "No, it's not necessary. Many sape players went straight into it, and I guess I'm just one of the exceptions."

MASTER OF THE STRINGS

Alena admits the sape shares some similarities with the guitar.

"I play and sing at the same time, but I've also performed instrumental pieces with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO).

"Unlike the guitar, the sape needs a gentler picking. As a result, not many people who play the guitar can master it."

Fortunately, she notes that more young people in Borneo are discovering the instrument's magic.

"I guess I'm one of the new generation's pioneers, and I'm lucky to have joined Womex (World Music Expo — an international world music support and development project based in Berlin) and networked with international music and concert promoters to expand my reach. Networking is the key to making your voice or sound heard."

Today, Alena owns eight sapes and strictly follows the traditional playing style tribal elders taught her.

She notes that audiences at home and abroad react differently to her performances.

"People abroad want to know more about the sape's background, so I share lots of interesting information about it."

HISTORY, HEALING AND BREAKING TABOOS

Alena is remarkably knowledgeable about the history of her instrument. She notes that before the 20th century, the sape was played strictly by men, primarily within Orang Ulu sub-groups such as the Kenyah, Kayan and Kelabit, with the Kenyah widely recognised as its creators.

Beyond its cultural roots, the instrument had a spiritual purpose. In ancient times, it was played during shamanic rituals to heal the sick.

"The belief has long faded away, and the sape is now used to accompany dances or musical performances," she said, noting with pride that she was one of the first Sarawakian women to break the gender taboo.

She also highlights the instrument's close connection to other regional traditions, such as Sabah's long-necked sundatang.

"They have the same scaling, and I hope it will make its own mark on the Malaysian music map one day."

When choosing an instrument, Alena, who is also a talented painter, explains that the wood, body size and strings all dictate the sound.

"We must approach sape as a whole to find which one fits us best. Your instrument is like your beloved pet, and you must take good care of it."

As for the personality of her sapes?

"They are quite sassy and sensitive to temperature, particularly humidity," she laughed.

FROM SCREEN SOUNDTRACKS TO SYMPHONIES

Over the past few years, Alena has expanded into writing music for television and films, including the Prime Video fantasy series 'The Wheel of Time'.

"During the Covid-19 lockdown, creating music for television and movie soundtracks kept me busy, including work on 'The Wheel of Time'," she recalled.

While open to scoring a full feature film, she admitted: "Truth be told, I'm more into purely musical programmes rather than movie soundtracks. But it would be great if I were given the chance."

Her stage performances have reached extraordinary heights.

For her upcoming Concerto for Sape and Orchestra at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) on Oct 31, she will perform alongside 60 musicians from the MPO — an experience she describes as "truly great and memorable".

"Playing with the MPO has always been a dream for me, so getting to perform with them again is a great privilege. I've noticed how beautifully the oboes and bassoons blend with the sape," she said of the specially commissioned 20-minute piece by Sabah-born composer Vivian Chua, which will make its world premiere at the concert.

INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM AND FUTURE DREAMS

Alena's self-taught mastery has earned her global recognition.

Holding a degree in management from the University of Manchester's Business School, her breakthrough came in 2021 when her visually stunning music video for 'Warrior Spirit' won Best Music Video at the Buenos Aires Music Video Festival.

This followed her 2020 award for Best Styling for 'Midang Midang' (filmed in the Bario Highlands), which was nominated for Best International Video alongside pop icon Madonna.

She followed these successes with 'Put Burui' in 2022, 'Pemung Jae' (Trio Version) in 2024 — learnt from sape master Mathew Ngau Jau — and a Silver Medal at the Global Music Awards earlier this year for her Kelabit-language track 'Sekunuh Kamih' (Our Stories).

Alena has an exciting lineup of prospective projects.

Her dream international collaborator is Norwegian singer Aurora Aksnes.

"We both love traditional music that's close to nature. I've seen her performances, and they greatly mesmerise me," she said.

Locally, she hopes to reunite with Sabahan singers Velvet Aduk and Marsha Milan Londoh following their successful "Sounds of Borneo" performance at DFP.

She is also keen to collaborate with fellow Sarawakian artist Belle Sisoski, praising her "amazing with her musicianship".

"Come next year, I've got a first in the works — collaborating with Orang Asli musicians. I also plan to write some songs in Malay."

And if her sape could talk, what would it reveal about her?

"Well, that I get nervous before interviews, listen to upbeat music, and I'm basically a quiet person."

She also added one last surprise about her musical tastes.

"If there's one style of music that people would be completely surprised to hear played on a sape, it's electronic dance music. I love it!"

As for where she hopes her trusty instrument will take her next, her dream performance destination is simple: "All over Japan."

For more details and tickets on the "Beats of Borneo: Alena Murang" with the MPO concert at DFP on Oct 31, visit www.mpo.com.my.