The “sundatang”, which belongs to the boat lute family of instruments, produces a melodious sound when played.
“I felt disappointed by their response,” recalled the 35-year-old from Ranau, Sabah, who also goes by the name Gindung. He said he wondered what would become of the “sundatang” if the younger generation continued to favour modern instruments over this traditional treasure.
He decided to take the challenge of finding the “sundatang” a place in modern times – and on the global stage.
Drawing inspiration from the “sape”, another boat lute that was modernised and has gained global recognition, he embarked on a mission to revive the “sundatang”.
Gindung recalled first seeing the instrument when he was about 11 years old, but his interest in it was only sparked years later when he encountered the instrument again as an adult.
But he knew that to revive the playing of the “sundatang”, he had to deepen his knowledge, particularly in crafting it.
He spent hours with skilled “sundatang” craftsmen and also caught up with “sape” makers in Sarawak and Kalimantan. Since both instruments belong to the boat lute family, he wanted to refine his skills and learn how the “sape” had been modernised.
Today, he crafts beautiful “sundatang” with modern touches. “I’ve installed pickups, so the “sundatang” can be connected to an amplifier,” he said, adding that its natural sound isn’t as loud as the guitar.
He also makes “sundatang” that have up to 17 frets, which allows for a wider range of notes to be played.
According to Gindung, each tribe in Sabah has its own version of the instrument: some tribes create sundatang with only three frets, while others have six or seven.
“In some areas, the sundatang have even gone extinct. When we asked locals about it, they said that they last saw it a long time ago.”
Making a “sundatang” typically takes four to five days. “I’ll source the wood from locals in Ranau instead of factories. I want to support the community here so they can earn some income.”
Next, the wood is cut and shaped. Gindung, who is also an artist, then carves or block-prints motifs from Sabah’s indigenous tribes onto the wood’s surface. He explained that he chooses these motifs because they are also nearly extinct.
Finally, the pickup and steel strings are installed, among others, blending traditional artistry and modern elements to create a unique “sundatang”.
But Gindung wasn’t satisfied with just making the “sundatang” – he wanted people to enjoy its beautiful sound. So, he formed and now leads a band called “Tuni Sundatang”.
“‘Tuni’ means ‘sound’ in the Dusun language,” explained Gindung, who belongs to the Dusun Liwan tribe. The six-member band combines traditional instruments like the “sundatang” and “sompoton” with modern ones such as drums, guitar, and keyboard, creating a unique ethno-fusion sound.
The band has performed at the Rainforest World Music Festival and the Taiwan World Music Festival.
His “sundatang” has also been displayed at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, UK. Indeed, Gindung’s dream of taking the “sundatang” to the global stage has come true.
He has also co-founded the Borneo Boat Lute Revival, a collective aimed at reviving the nearly extinct boat lutes across Borneo.
“Upon seeing my efforts to revive the ‘sundatang’, I know a few elderly people whose passion to play, make and sell the ‘sundatang’ have now been reignited,” he shared.
“The ‘sundatang’ showcases our identity. If we can keep it alive, we will be known by others. I am also trying to share with the community here that by keeping this instrument alive, it will also become a source of income for them,” he added.
“I want to see just how far I can take the ‘sundatang’.”
Follow Tuni Sundatang on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. Follow the Borneo Boat Lute Revival on Instagram and Facebook.