SIBU: An Iban traditional musical instrument known as the belikan or engkuyan is being brought back into the spotlight before its musical heritage fades further from public memory.
The effort is being led by Kelab Sape Dayak Sibu (KSDS), which will organise a Traditional Iban Musical Instrument Learning Class focusing on the belikan or engkuyan on August 30.
The one-day programme aims not only to introduce the little-known instrument, but also to pass on knowledge and skills in playing the belikan to a new generation.
KSDS’ Deputy Chairman, Aranie Seceber, said preserving traditional heritage could not depend solely on performances or cultural showcases, as the survival of an art form ultimately rested on whether its knowledge and skills continued to be transmitted.
“Belikan is one of the traditional musical instruments of the Iban community that is becoming increasingly unfamiliar to the younger generation. Many may not even know it exists, let alone have heard its sound.
“If the Orang Ulu have the sape, we have the belikan. Both instruments have a similar shape and sound,” he said.
Aranie said traditional music faced growing challenges amid changing public tastes and modern culture, making structured and continuous learning opportunities essential to prevent knowledge of traditional instruments from being lost.
A skilled maker of both the sape and belikan, Aranie will also serve as an instructor for the class.
He said this would be the first time KSDS will organise a class specifically centred on the belikan, after previously placing greater emphasis on the sape.
“This is the first belikan class to be organised by KSDS. Previously, our focus was more on the sape, but this time we are bringing something different by introducing the belikan.
“We believe the belikan also deserves to be highlighted. This does not mean we are sidelining the sape, but the sape is already widely recognised, whereas the belikan remains relatively unknown,” he said.
The class will be held from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the KSDS centre on the first floor of Jalan Kampung Datu, next to the Sibu SUPP headquarters.
The participation fee is RM85 for adults and RM40 for school students.
The fee includes food and refreshments throughout the programme, including breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. Participants will also receive certificates upon completion of the class.
Aranie said the programme is open to people of all ages, particularly those interested in learning more about Iban traditional music and acquiring practical skills in playing the belikan.
He hoped the initiative would serve as a starting point for broader efforts to bring the belikan back into the cultural life of the Iban community – not merely as an artefact of the past, but as an instrument that continues to be played and understood.
“Talking about heritage alone is not enough. If nobody learns how to play the instrument, eventually the knowledge will disappear.
“That is why we need to ensure this knowledge continues to be passed down and practised,” he said.
Registration is open until August 28. Those interested can contact Aranie at 019-8550147, Anthony Abong at 013-5650914, or Ngumbang Fred at 013-5638407.
