Sapeh

Sapeh

The Tropenmuseum collection of sapeh from East Kalimantan, c. 1900s
String
Other names	Sape, sapeʼ, sapek, sapeik, sapeq, sampeh, sampeʼ, sampek, or sampeq
Classification	String instrument
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	(Composite chordophones)
Developed	Tenggarong of East Kalimantan, Indonesia (mainly and originally)
Related instruments
lute
Musicians
List Tusau Padan Jok Jau Evong Tegit Usat Echo Bilong Mathew Ngau Jau Salomon Gau Jerry Kamit Arang Uyau Moris Alena Murang Irang Awai Ferinandus Lah Thambunesia

Sapeh, also spelled sape, sapeʼ, sapek, sapeik, sapeq, sampeh, sampeʼ, sampek, or sampeq (/sʌpɛʔ/) is a traditional string instrument of Borneo-origin that developed in northern, eastern,^[1][2] and central regions of Kalimantan. It is a wooden-base instrument with strings attached, and works in a manner similar to the guitar.

Since the 1950s, these string instruments from all across the Indonesian Archipelago have been officially recognized by the Indonesian government as one of the national Intangible Cultural Heritages of Indonesia in the domains of Traditional Skills and Crafts, Community Customs, Rites, and Celebrations, Performing Arts, as well as Traditions and Expressions of the Natives, and has been digitilized^{[clarification needed]} since at least 2010.^{[3][4][5][6][7]} Some native Dayak maestros of these musical instrument are highly respected by Indonesia and have been awarded Anugerah Kebudayaan (lit. 'Cultural Award(s)'), such as Mr. Arang from Bulungan^[8] and Mr. Irang Awai from Kutai.^[9][10] Sapeh was also played with a bow like the Western cello.