| Description |
Sekafi is a short-necked plucked lute similar to the sape of the orang ulu community. It is a strummed lute with three brass or wire strings. Like the tafe, its body is made from the soft wood of the jackfruit tree trunk. The surface of the instrument is painted with special designs, which reflect Lundayeh art. Some inter-influence between the sape of the orang ulu community in Sarawak and the sekafi could have occurred as they share similarities in terms of shape and their strummed lute. Their differences, however, are in the design, tune and decorative motifs on their body: these aspects portray the individual creativity of the musical instrument makers. Sekafi is usually performed solo for personal entertainment or as dance accompaniment. Not many Lundayeh in Tenom could play the sekafi today. This non-ability is a similar situation among the Lundayeh communities in Sipitang and Long Pasia. |
