KUCHING: Malaysian artist Timur Flores is deepening her connection with Sarawak through music, fashion and cultural experiences linked to her family’s heritage.
She said her latest song, Cahaya Warna, reflects her Malaysian identity while incorporating Sarawakian influences, particularly through the traditional sape instrument.
“Sarawak has always been part of my life through my mum, but coming back and experiencing these places made me appreciate it differently,” she said in a press statement yesterday (Sep14).
Timur said returning to Kuching, her mother’s hometown, allowed her to explore places and traditions connected to her family history more personally.
She said the experience included visiting Sarawak Cultural Village, where her parents were married, learning traditional Sarawakian dance and meeting local creatives.
The artist, born to a Swiss father and Sarawakian mother, said her recent performances also strengthened her appreciation of Sarawakian culture.
At Borneo Native Festival 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, she performed wearing a custom corset by Malaysian designer Melinda Looi featuring Sarawak-inspired visual motifs.
In Miri, Timur performed at Makan Malam Amal Legends by Karyawan alongside Dato’ Khadijah Ibrahim, wearing a piece designed by Sarawakian designer Tom Abang Saufi.
She said combining music with contemporary Sarawakian fashion created another dimension to the story behind Cahaya Warna and her personal homecoming journey.
“Reconnecting with Sarawak was not just a creative choice; it was a personal necessity,” said Timur, describing music as the doorway to rediscovering her heritage.
She said every experience, from learning traditional dances to wearing Sarawakian designs and performing in the state, gave her deeper appreciation.
The visualiser for Cahaya Warna features footage from Timur’s time in Miri and Kuching, highlighting the Sarawakian influence woven throughout the song.
An accompanying content series also documents her performances and experiences, offering audiences a closer look at the people, places and traditions behind her journey.
Timur hopes her experience will encourage young Malaysians to explore their own family histories and appreciate the diverse cultural heritage shaping the region.
Through Cahaya Warna, she said her journey had moved beyond creating music, becoming a meaningful return to the culture and roots that shaped her identity.
