NEWS & UPDATES

KUCHING, 26 JULY 2019, FRIDAY: Sarawak Energy’s partners in cultural heritage, Warisan Sape Telang Usan as well as artisans under the power developer’s Handicraft Development Programme from Murum, Baleh and Baram showcased their music and crafts at the recently concluded Rainforest World Music Festival 2019.

Sarawak Energy Executive Vice President for Corporate Services, Aisah Eden said, as a gold sponsor of the event, the corporation was able to support their partner communities to showcase their culture and heritage at the internationally acclaimed music festival.

“We are committed to working with communities on initiatives that preserve and promote Sarawak’s indigenous culture, especially for the future generation. Events such as this can showcase the successful results of our joint cultural initiatives,” she said.

Talented 18-strong musical ensemble Warisan Sape’ Telang Usan, who were joined by sape’ maestro and living legend, Matthew Ngau, and Miss Malaysia World 2018, Larissa Ping, enchanted audiences with sape’ performances and participated in the traditional cultural performances at the Indigenous Stage and Big Tent Stage, with receptive audiences joining them in traditional dances.

Earlier this year, the sape' troupe succeeded in their attempt to enter the Malaysia Book of Records for the Longest Non-Stop Sape' Performance. The performance, supported by sape’ musicians from Baram and Belaga, saw more than 50 musicians playing the sape' continuously for 50 hours.

Meanwhile, 6 artisans from Murum, Baleh and Baram demonstrated their skills and displayed their handicraft at the Rainforest World Craft Bazaar, which was held concurrently within the festival grounds.

“Our community partners have participated in this international level festival for three consecutive years – it is a great platform for the artisans to showcase their skills and crafts to tourists from around the globe, to build on their national level exposure from their participation in exhibitions across the country,” added Jiwari Abdullah, General Manager for Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability.

Artisan Bawe Ngok, from Baram said that the festival was a confluence of different cultures and music from all over the world.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in an international festival such as this. We also get to discover current trends from other artisans and customer feedback, and this will inspire us in creating new designs for our crafts,” she said.

Sarawak Energy’s Handicraft Programme for Sustainable Livelihood Development of Murum Artisans won a Platinum Award at the 2018 Global CSR Summit and Awards in Lombok.

Warisan Sape’ Telang Usan performing the Datun Julut Dance with sape maestro Mathew Nagu Jau,  at the Indigenous Stage

The musical ensemble garnered attention whenever they performed, and the enthusiastic crowd was always happy to join them.

Warisan Sape’ Telang Usan with Sarawak Energy General Manager for CSR & Sustainability, Jiwari Abdullah (standing fourth from right)

Augustine Supen Taja, Sarawak Energy Manager for Community Relations (left) showing Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Chief Minister of Sarawak, accompanied by YB Datuk Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Sarawak around the artisans' booth at the festival

Warisan Sape’ Telang Usan performing the Unity Dance in front of the enthusiastic crowd at the Big Tent Stage

Artisans from Baram, Baleh and Murum together with Sarawak Energy staff at their handicraft stall.