Bamboo, sound piece
800 x 420 mm
2mins27secs
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The performance of the bamboo tube zither (pratuokng) by a Bidayuh musician and luthier at Annah Rais left a profound impression on me.
The natural beauty of their land evoked memories of my own experiences playing the renowned classical Chinese zither (zheng) piece, “Lofty Mountains, Flowing Rivers” (高山流水), when I first encountered it.
These impressions, drawn from playing the classical zheng piece and perceiving the mountains and rivers of Borneo, have shaped my attempt to engage with the pratuokng through improvisation.
As I play, I explore the interplay between observation and innovation, seeking a tone that embodies my encounter with the Bidayuh people and their land.
Each performance evolves, differing from the last—a reflection of how the story of the pratuokng is passed down. Each tone resonates with different parts of the instrument at different moments in time, echoing the creativity and individuality of each pratuokng master as they journey with the instrument through the realm of temporality.