Rooted Deep

Challenging prevailing narratives surrounding Borneo and its cultures, two artists, Kulleh Grasi and Alena Murang, share their personal stories about the indigenous peoples of East Malaysia through music, where traditional and innovation meet to create a harmonious ode to the past, present and future

- Koyyi Chin

In the vibrant tapestry of Malaysia’s diverse cultural heritage lies a rich and often overlooked facet—its indigenous roots. Amidst the complexities of modernity, the true understanding and appreciation of these indigenous cultures has frequently been overshadowed. Enter poet and singer-songwriter Kulleh Grasi and professional sape musician Alena Murang, two artists dedicated to unravelling the multifaceted truths of their heritage through music. We detail their individual journeys of keeping their cultural traditions alive through soul-stirring melodies that will hopefully spark a collective consciousness among Malaysians.

When asked if Malaysia’s understanding of Sabah and Sarwak has improved, Kulleh Grasi, the lead vocalist and co-founding member of the world music band Nading Rhapsody, responds:

“Let’s rephrase that question— while we may identify as indigenous people, how deeply do we understand ourselves? How well do any of us know the multifaceted truths about our ancestry and the land we call home?”

Alena Murang, a renowned sape musician, emphasises the need for further exploration: “While Malaysian history is taught in schools, there remains an untapped reservoir of knowledge concerning our diverse ancestral heritage. Sadly, accessibility to these histories is limited.”