Bob (left) and Luke co-organised the Rhythms of Borneo event which took place over two weekends in August.— Courtesy pic
AS a member of the multicultural Sarawakian band At Adau, percussionist Meldrick Bob believes in the power of music to bring people together and foster mutual understanding.
He sees this in the band itself, whose seven members come from diverse backgrounds to create and play music together.
Bob describing the sape instrument to visitors at the event. — ZULAZHAR SEBLEE/The Star
“I’m Bidayuh-Iban, some are pure Bidayuh and some are Orang Ulu. It doesn’t matter where we come from, music triggers an instinct inside us of peace and understanding each other,” he said.
“What makes it more intimate is that we use our homegrown traditional instruments like the Bidayuh drum, Iban drum and the famous sape lute.
“These instruments come alive when they are played together by people with the same understanding to create positive music.”
Bob, who is also At Adau’s music director, finds inspiration in the band’s story of coming together from different tribes to spread the message of unity and understanding.
“To us at At Adau, if people start quarreling among themselves, that will be the end. It’s a frightening thing to think about.
“By putting our story out there and our intention to the community, hopefully everyone will join us to promote understanding and celebrate life together,” he said.
Participants learning a traditional Bidayuh dance at a workshop during the Rhythms of Borneo event.— ZULAZHAR SEBLEE/The Star
Towards this end, Bob and At Adau sape player Luke Wrender David recently organised “Rhythms of Borneo” in collaboration with La Promenade Mall in Kota Samarahan to showcase Sarawak’s rich heritage and diversity.
The event, which took place over two weekends in August, brought together the arts, music and culture of the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu and Melanau under one roof.
It included traditional dance and music workshops, a tattoo exhibition and local craft merchandise such as the sape and beadwork.
Luke said the event created an immersive experience celebrating Sarawak’s musical heritage by featuring indigenous musical instruments from diverse tribes, including the Orang Ulu sape and Bidayuh bamboo zither called pratuong.
Bob described “Rhythms of Borneo” as an expression of Sarawak’s unity in diversity.
At Adau performing at the Rainforest World Music Festival in July. —Photo courtesy of Sarawak Tourism Board
“We call this a community celebration and we take it seriously. When we learn each other’s cultures and traditions, we can understand each other better.
“Opening up everyone’s heart to learn different cultures is something precious. When we know each other’s stories, we have no reason to hate one another,” he added.
For Bob, this reflects the spirit of Segulai Sejalai, an Iban phrase translated as “together in unity” which has been adopted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the national slogan for unity.
A stall selling beadwork and other crafts at the showcase in La Promenade Mall.
“The first time I heard the Prime Minister use the Segulai Sejalai motto, I was very proud, firstly because it comes from my tribe.
“Secondly, it’s about the deep meaning behind that phrase. Segulai is about gathering together and sejalai means we walk together,” said Bob.
He said the spirit of togetherness came not from one group but represented everyone from different races and lifestyles.“When people segulai sejalai, that will solve the problem in any situation because we can come together and talk openly with each other,” he added.
