Sape (East Borneo)

Hello readers! Now I would like to tell you about Dayaknese string instrument. The name is Sape.

Sape is originally from East Borneo. In Dayaknese language, the Sape means “using the fingers to pluck the strings”

The body of the Sape is carved often from a single piece of wood. An indigenous species of wood is preferred for making the Sape called “Tebuloh”. This species of wood is bitter and is avoided by insects. For strings of Sape, traditionally still using ropes from palm tree fiber, but now the strings of Sape often made of thin wire so that the sound will sound louder.

Traditional Sape have from 3 to 4 strings. Originally the Sapes had only two strings, three moveable frets, later three and four strings were added. On the top string a thumb tack is added to raise the string to an octave, according to the tuning this creates a chord when played with a melodic string.

String 1: Tune like the middle C of the piano
String 2:Tune like C one octave lower than middle C
String 3: Tune to A, a minor third below middle C
String 4: Tune to F, a perfect fourth above middle C

Originally the Sape was played for ritual music this was to induce the performers into a trance, nowadays the Sape is played in social occasions. In the past, played Sape during the day and night has differences. When played in the afternoon that means expressed feelings of happiness. And then if Sape played in the night, usually the rhythm is mellow that means expressed sad. When playing the Sape the player sits down in which the Sape is supported by the player’s legs the Sape is held close to the chest. The player mainly plucks the lowest tuned or the bottom string and the rest of the strings are drones.
 

By : Chintia Monika P