SARAWAK singer-songwriter and sape player Alena Murang, who is of Dayak Kelabit descent, has won awards and acclaim for the music video to her song ‘Warrior Spirit’.
The video has received the Best Asia & Pacific Music Video and Honourable Mention for Best Costume awards at the UK’s International Music Video Awards. In addition, it was also an Official Selection at the New York International Film Awards and a semi-finalist for Best Film at the 2021 Los Angeles Film Awards.
"Warrior Spirit shows the strength within. We come from a line of warriors and heroes.
"My great great-great-grandfather Balang Nganud was a great warrior and the community called him 'the Tiger that floats enemies' heads downriver'," Alena said in a statement.
Released on May 27, the music video was produced by the same team behind ‘Midang Midan’, Alena's award-winning 2019 music video, which was directed by her cousin, Sarah Lois Dorai, who is also of a Kelabit background.
In an interview with SAYS, Alena said: "The song is inspired by a traditional sape' tune which is for the male warrior dance. The visual I had in my mind was the warrior watching the mist rise on the morning before the battle."
She completed the single with Joshua Maran (guitarist and producer), Jonathan Wong Ketshin (guitarist), and later on Herman Ramanado (bassist).
Sarah Lois Dorai added: "The wins and selections at festivals only goes to show that there is an interest in the stories that we have to tell from our part of the world, and from indigenous communities. We hope that many more films from native voices will be financially supported in the future."
Alena also said, "I feel so incredibly proud of the whole team that put in their time and energy towards this music video."
"It's been a really rough period for people in film and music so it's heart-warming to not just be able to achieve in creating this music video, but also have the added bonus of these international awards."
The style of the music video was mainly inspired by Alena's cultural heritage and that of the peoples of Borneo, specifically those of Sarawak.
Watch Warrior Spirit’ on Alena Murang's YouTube page, where it has amassed almost 126,000 views since its release at the end of May.
The track is available online via Spotify, Apple Music, KKBox and YouTube Music. – The Vibes, July 4, 2021
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