Sapeh: Indonesia musical instrument

The sapeh is a traditional lute of many of the Orang Ulu or the people of upriver, who live in the long houses that line the rivers of the central Borneo. Sapehs are carved from a single bole of wood, with several modern musical instruments reaching over a meter in its length.

source of picture: angelfire.com

Originally, the musical instrument was fairly a limited musical instrument with two strings and only three frets on it. The instrument’s use was limited to a form of ritualistic music to prompt trance. In the last century, the musical instrument simultaneously became a social musical instrument to accompany dances or as a form of entertainment to many people. In the modern days, three, four or five string versions of the musical instrument are used, with a range of more than three octaves.

Technically, the instrument is a relatively simple musical instrument, having one string carrying the melody and the accompanying strings as rhythmic drones. In practice, music is quite intricate, with several decorations and thematic variations. There are two common modes, one for the men’s longhouse dance and the other for the woman’s longhouse dance. There also is a third rarely used mode. The music of the instrument is often inspired by dreams and there are over 35 traditional pieces with many variations. The overall repertoire is gradually increasing.

 The musical instrument is still being produced in Borneo, and modern innovations like the electric versions of the sapeh are commonly used today.