Rining's dedication keeps Lun Bawang musical tapi tradition alive

KUCHING: As the clock approaches 10.30pm and the bustle of the city begins to fade, Rining Peter Paris's creative world comes alive.

With a cup of black coffee and reggae music playing softly in the background, the 53-year-old musician retreats to his backyard workshop to craft the tapi or tapik, a traditional two-stringed instrument of Sarawak's Lun Bawang community.

Originally from the Ba'kelalan highlands, Rining is among the few remaining tapi makers in Malaysia, dedicating his late-night hours to preserving an ancestral craft through intricate carvings on pulai wood, locally known as pelai.

"I usually work from 10.30 pm until 3 am because my mind is fresher at night. I need intense concentration, especially when drawing and carving patterns on the tapi," he told Bernama during a recent visit to his home.

While traditional stringed instruments from Malaysian Borneo are often associated with the sape, commonly played by Orang Ulu communities such as the Kenyah, Kayan and Kelabit, the tapi holds a distinct place in Lun Bawang heritage.

Traditionally featuring two strings, the tapi is smaller than the sape, which typically has two to four strings, and differs in its tuning, carvings, and decorative motifs.

Each instrument crafted by Rining features a menudun, or helmeted hornbill, motif carved into its head, a signature element of his craftsmanship.

Rining said making a tapi involves 10 main stages, from cutting and shaping the wood to intricate carving and smoke treatment.

He sources pelai wood from the hills of Ba'kelalan, where the tree grows abundantly, paying between RM600 and RM800 for 10 pieces, including delivery.

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"Sometimes the wood cracks during the process, but my philosophy is never to waste it. I use the leftover pieces to make smaller tapi handicrafts as souvenirs," he said.

With ageing craftsmen and health concerns threatening the survival of the tradition, Rining has begun planning for the next generation.

He hopes to train young Lun Bawang proteges and devote himself fully to making the instrument by 2028.

After nearly a decade of dedication, his efforts are gaining recognition beyond the local market.

The tapi has attracted interest from a woodworker in Germany, while young musician Belle Sisoski has introduced its traditional sounds to international audiences by incorporating them into electronic dance music (EDM).

"So far, more than 66 tapi instruments have been sold at an average price of RM1,100 each.

This proves that the tapi is not only a priceless cultural treasure but can also provide income for the community," he said.

Rining has also organised workshops in his home village of Ba'kelalan to encourage residents to learn the craft, starting with basic tasks such as cutting and shaping wood before progressing to more intricate work.

"I encourage villagers to take on the initial woodworking stages, while I can help complete the finer details, including the carvings," he said.

He hopes more young people, particularly from the Lun Bawang community, will recognise both the cultural and commercial value of the tapi and help ensure the instrument continues to resonate with future generations. — BERNAMA