Mathew Ngau Jau

Sape Master, Sarawak, Malaysia

Mathew Ngau Jau is a 72 year old Kenyah Ngorek, a Bornean indigenous ethnic group from Long Semiyang in Sarawak. He is a professional Sape' performer, maker and teacher and is one of the few community-recognised authority on the instrument.

Mathew hopes to give both the instrument and Kenyah traditions a new lease of life, preserving its traditional foundations, yet giving it a chance to flourish outside of the rainforest. He performs, teaches and continues to make the Sape' for anyone who is willing to take the time to learn.

To his community, Mathew is known as a cultural guardian or "the Keeper of the Kenyah Ngorek Songs". To the country, he is one of Malaysia's Living National Heritage.