Description

Sape' music like you never heard before

By: Mathew Ngau Jau & Uchau Bilong
Ethnic group: Kenyah Ngorek
Running time: 00:61:58
Released: 2004
Format: Audio CD
Tracks: 14

A longhouse community of wonderfully hospitable, hard-working farmers and excellent boatmen, descended from a powerful line of legendary Baram Chiefs, the Ngorek are splendid musicians, storytellers and singers.

A sub-tribe of the Kenyah (together with other up-river tribes collectively called Orang Ulu) they particularly enjoy jovial drinking songs, lustily harmonizing and bawling out bawdy choruses.

Longhouse parties are legendary and are often documented in song, as the highlights of one party are recounted and sung at the next. The rainforest environment and their deep love for it is reflected in their songs, which also celebrate their noble lineage.

The cultural heritage of the Ngorek - whose numbers are rapidly dwindling - is in danger of dying out, along with the tribal elders. Mathew Ngau Jau is unique amongst the younger generation of the Ngorek because he has dedicated his whole life to keeping the songs and the music and thereby the cultural and the spiritual essence - of his ancestors alive.