KUCHING: Yayasan Perpaduan Sarawak (YPS) is finalising preparations for the Sape Camp 2025: Strings of Unity, an eight-day cultural music programme beginning this weekend in Kuching.
The camp marks the third edition of YPS’s signature cultural learning initiative that continues to inspire young Malaysians through the timeless art of traditional Sape music.
Running from Nov 9 to 16, this year’s camp will conclude with a Graduation Day on Nov 14, followed by the Evening Unity Concert on Nov 15 at Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall.
“This year’s camp will mark the conclusion of its first season, as YPS looks forward to advancing the programme into the next phase, focusing on elevating the Ambassadors to a more professional level.
“These ambassadors will continue promoting unity in diversity through music, not only in Sarawak but also in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia,” YPS said through a press statement yesterday (Nov5).
The concert, which is open to the public, offers audiences a chance to experience the vibrant unity and musical harmony of Sape music.
YPS successfully gathered 13 participants from across Malaysia, representing the nation’s cultural diversity including Murut and Dusun from Sabah, Orang Asli and Malay from Peninsular Malaysia, as well as Kenyah, Iban, Bidayuh, Chinese, and Lun Bawang participants from Sarawak.
“The fourfold objectives of Sape Camp 2025 are to foster unity among youth of diverse backgrounds by introducing them to traditional Sape music, to educate participants about the origin and significance of the instrument, to provide comprehensive Sape musical training led by professional musicians, and to offer hands-on experience in Sape crafting and design,”it said.
This year’s programme features an expanded curriculum with the inclusion of vocal training, alongside lessons in Sape mastery and performance showmanship.
Participants will learn directly from renowned Sape music professionals such as Karyawan Seni Negara Narawi Rashidi, the Keeper of the Kenyah Ngorek Songs Mathew Ngau Jau, Senior Lecturer from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Dr Connie Lim Keh Nie, and professional Sape coaches from Persatuan Anak Seni Sape Kuching (PUSAK).
“YPS is also proud to welcome local guest artist Bob Yusof, who will conduct a vocal session and share his experiences with the participants,” it added.
