Traditional Harmony

To the Greeks music is the food of love. In Sabah, music is a vital part of nearly every social event at the village level. It symbolises the traditional harmony that exists among its inhabitants across the years. It is played during wedding celebrations, engagement parties, harvest festivals, first birthday of children, animistic religious ceremonies and other associated events of importance to the community.

Each ethnic group has its own distinct musical forms although several of the major instruments are common to all. Each piece of instrument is usually lovingly crafted, cut, shaped and tested. Distinction are often found in different combinations of instruments, varying dance styles, tempos and tunings. There are also certain instruments found only within the limits of an individual community and not shared with other communities.

Local instrumental music is often associated with dance. It also functions as background music during certain celebrations. Some instruments are commonly used by individuals for personal relaxation.

Oral Tradition

There is no traditional system for notating Sabah's traditional music, nor are the words for songs written down. All the music and songs are passed down by tradition from generation to generation. Both men and women perform, but certain instruments are traditionally associated with each sex. For instance, men generally play the large knobbed gongs and drums, while women play the kulintangan and the flat gongs.

Types of instruments

Most Sabah musical instruments are made from natural products. For example the tongLungon, turali, suling (or flute), sompoton and togunggak are made of bamboo. Others like the gambus, kompang and gendang are made of goat skin. The gongs and kulintangan are made of brass. The sundatang is made from a soft light wood and resembles an elongated guitar with three giman strings.