How much do you know about the indigenous cultures of Sabah and Sarawak? What kind of conversations have you had with your friends from East Malaysia? Educating ourselves about the indigenous culture in East Malaysia is vital in helping us understand and build an appreciation for the ancestral tribes’ traditions in the stories that are passed on to the next generation. These traditions are what keep their way of life alive. Some East Malaysian artists, such as Sabahan singer-songwriter
MAYABAYU, are finding ways to incorporate homegrown elements in their work, in the hopes that it would spark people’s interest to learn more about their culture. At the same time, reconnecting with their cultural roots helps these artists understand where they come from and how these practices come to define their identities.
Beverley Rachel Matajul wrote her first song at the age of 11. Her career, up to this point, focused on indie folk-country music. Now, through her persona MAYABAYU, she draws on her Sino-Kadazan roots, evolving to incorporate a unique blend of melodic synth-pop with tribal East Malaysian elements. In 2020, she released two singles,
Predator and
Huminodun which relate to human nature and the Sino-Kadazan culture.
Early last year during the first MCO, she wrote O, Sayang and performed a two-minute acoustic version on her
Facebook page. While the song was initially intended for someone special, she later decided to share this song with people who have come into her life. With support from Levi’s Music Project, she released O, Sayang as her latest single on Dec 22.