Foundation features ‘Sape Ambassadors' at Borneo Native Fest in KL

Volunteers gather for a group photo at the YPS booth, open throughout the Borneo Native Festival at the Central Market in Kuala Lumpur.
KUCHING (May 23): Yayasan Perpaduan Sarawak (YPS) is now at the Central Market in Kuala Lumpur for the three-day Borneo Native Festival (BNF), running until May 25.
The foundation's participation at this cultural and heritage gathering marks its first appearance outside Sarawak, bringing together its 'Sape Ambassadors'.
'Our participation at this festival is very much awaited and the stage performance is our first away from home,' said a YPS spokesman in a statement today.
'The Sape Ambassadors have their followers in Sarawak and they have been well received for their unique stage presentation.'
The 'Sape Ambassadors' have gained prominence in Sarawak after numerous public performances, including at the Borneo Cultural Festival, an international tourism event held in Sibu last year, and also their last concert at the closing of the annual Kaul Mukah Festival earlier this month.
The 'Sape Ambassadors' are a group of talented musical youths, trained in sape, the traditional boat lute of the Orang Ulu.
'These 'Ambassadors' comprise youths representing all races in Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia, including representation from the Orang Asli community.
'They adorn their colourful traditional costumes playing the sape to the beat to local favourite songs in all languages in Malaysia including Mandarin, Kadazan-Dusun, Orang Asli and Tamil, besides the various Sarawak's indigenous languages.
'Their songs are local favourites, including oldies and other community hits like the Iban's 'Berkikis Bulu Betis', Kadazan-Dusun's 'Anak Kampung' and the Mandarin version of 'Mei Lan Wo Ai Ni'.
'This makes for a unique musical presentation; hence, the adoption of the stage theme 'Rhythm of Unity',' the spokesman added.
Backed-up by Amir Hamzah from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), the 'Sape Ambassadors' stand as one of YPS signature projects in its nationwide 'Unity in Diversity' promotion.
These Ambassadors are performing at the BNF in KL's Central Market today, from 4pm to 5pm.
The spokesman added: 'YPS will have a booth located at the festival site where a mini exhibition featuring YPS's vision and mission and its activity promotions.
'We also invite everyone to a special 'Jum Kelaka Sarawak' (Let's Speak Sarawak) session, taking place at the booth throughout the festival where you can polish up your colloquial Sarawak dialects.'
Entry to the festival is free. Borneo Native Festival Sape Ambassadors Yayasan Perpaduan Sarawak YPS

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