A Sarawakian woman has discovered that learning the sape came with its own difficulties, especially when it came to maintaining the traditional sape.

Ivana Anz Eddie, 14, is one of the most popular students at Kuching’s SMK Penrissen No.1. Teachers and students know her by name because she’s one of the two female sape players in school.

For Martinus Njok Sebi, 23, of Kenyah-Iban descent, the sape is more than just music, it’s identity. Having joined PUSAK in 2021, Martinus has performed regularly at cultural events across Sarawak.