Mathew Ngau Jau

 Keeper of The Songs

Mathew Ngau Jau was born and raised in a longhouse in the far reaches of the Baram River in central Borneo. He is from a small sub-tribe of the Kenyah called Ngorek, who were among the first settlers of the upper Baram. Surrounded by the rythms and instruments used in traditional music during his youth he is today one of Borneo's few professinal sape' players and is regarded as one of the world's top exponents of traditional Bornean music. Credited with helping to preserve a centuries-old regional heritage, Mathew is also a contemporary composer and musical innovator in his own rights. His international performances on the sape' with partner Uchau Bilong have introduced Bornean traditioanl music to western audiences and revived local interest amongst a new generation, inspring them to cherish and preserve their cultural  heritage. With performances with Anak' Adik Rurum Kelabit, a  group young Kelabit musicians, singers and dancers, Mathew has reestablished a long lost link between the Ngorek and the people of the Kelabit Highlands.

For Mathew ngau Jau, the traditonal music of the ngorek people embodies the universal spirit of humanity, for the Ngorek mark every accasion with music and song : wheter ritual healing or child naming ceremony, sporting event or longhouse dance, courtship, wedding, or funeral - indeed, from birth to death and beyond!

 Picture taken from http://www.naturaldyes.org/textiles.htm

The Ngorek People 

A longhouse community of wonderfully hospitality, hard-working farmers and excellent boatmen, descended from a powerful line of legendary Baram chiefs, the Ngorek are splendid musicians, storytellers and singers. A sub-tribe of the Kenyah, (altogether with other up-river tribes collectively called Orang Ulu) they enjoy jovial drinking songs, lustily harmonizing and bawling out bawdy choruses.

Longhouses parties are legendary and often documented in song, as the highlights of one party are recounted and sung at the next. The rainforest environment and their deep love for it is reflected in their songs, which also celebrate their noble lineage. The cultural heritage of the Ngorek - whose numbers are rapidly dwindling - is in danger of dying out, along with the tribal elders. Mathew ngau Jau is unique amongst the younger generation of Ngorek because he has dedicated his whole life to keeping the songs and the music - and thereby the cultural and spiritual essence - of his ancestors alive.

Extracted from Jungle Arts and Flora

Mathew Ngau Jau is a professional sape' musician having learned the instrument during his childhood in a longhouse in Sarawak. He came under the tutelage of the late Tusau Padan, a master sapeh musician and artist. Since the death of Tusau, Matthew has taken over his mantle to promote the art of sapeh music and also the art of painting Kenyah traditional motifs on bark.

He crafts the sapeh lute instruments from wood himself and paints on the decoration. He is also an expert in the Orang-Ulu warrior dance and is an accomplished blow-pipe marksman. Combining all these skills, Ngau Jau is much sought after to promote the traditional arts of Sarawak, and has traveled extensively in Asia, Europe, and North America.

For Upcoming Event do visit :  http://www.folkartmarket.org/events/