Almost Extinct: Reviving the Songs of the Kenyah Through Music
- Admin
- Jun 28
- 2 min read
Music is one of the most powerful ways to preserve a culture. For many indigenous communities in Borneo, traditional songs have been passed down orally from one generation to the next. As fewer young people learn these songs, many are at risk of disappearing.
Through the Almost Extinct programme, Neko Music Center hopes to introduce audiences to the rich musical heritage of the Kenyah people while celebrating the research and preservation work of Dr. Chong Pek Lin.
Dr. Chong Pek Lin has spent more than twenty years documenting, recording, and transcribing Kenyah traditional songs from villages across Sarawak. Her work has transformed an oral tradition into valuable educational resources, ensuring these songs can continue to be studied, performed, and appreciated by future generations.
This special performance is a collaboration between Neko Music Center and the Recorder Ensemble of Kuching Chung Hua Primary School No. 5, bringing together young musicians to celebrate and preserve Sarawak’s indigenous musical heritage.
For this performance, the recorder ensemble presents three Kenyah folk songs specially arranged by Mr. Eddie Chan, allowing these traditional melodies to be performed by a modern recorder ensemble while preserving their unique musical character. The programme concludes with the Malaysian classic Senja Berulang Rindu, creating a meaningful dialogue between indigenous and contemporary Malaysian music.
Belabau Ale' Silung
Belabau is a traditional Kenyah folk song that beautifully illustrates a striped-faced squirrel nibbling the tender shoots of palm trees as a poetic metaphor for a young lady discovering love. Filled with yearning and wonder, the song captures the sweetness and innocence of first love.
Bampa Lale
Bampa Lale is a traditional Kenyah folk song celebrating the legendary beauty of Baun Lanyau, a noblewoman from the Baram region. Each verse praises different aspects of her appearance and attire, offering a glimpse into the beauty ideals, customs, and cultural heritage of the Kenyah community.
Sayang Dau Kenai Tawai
Sayang Dau Kenai Tawai (“Love So Deep, It Cannot Be Spoken”) is a traditional Kenyah love song expressing affection too profound for words. Popular among young people, it portrays love through poetic imagery and was traditionally sung as a dialogue between a young woman and a young man, with the community joining in the chorus.
Senja Berulang Rindu
To conclude the performance, the ensemble presents Senja Berulang Rindu, a timeless Malaysian classic by the late Sudirman Arshad. The song reflects on cherished memories, longing, and the passage of time, providing a meaningful conclusion that bridges Malaysia’s contemporary musical heritage with the ancient traditions of the Kenyah people.
Preserving Our Musical Heritage
Although these songs originated in different periods and traditions, they share a common purpose—to tell stories, express emotions, and connect people through music. Through this collaboration between Neko Music Center, Kuching Chung Hua Primary School No. 5, Dr. Chong Pek Lin, and arranger Mr. Eddie Chan, these treasured melodies continue to inspire a new generation, ensuring that Sarawak’s rich musical heritage remains alive for years to come.
