Sumuku
Sumuku, a project by the Malaysian NGO Pertubuhan Kolektif Seni Budaya Sabah in partnership with the University of Manchester, EarthSonic and the British Council explores the traditional ecological knowledge of Sabah's Kadazandusun community through the ancient Rinait chants of Bobolian elders.
The unique language of these ritual chants carries understandings about rainforest plants and life not found in everyday speech. By combining sound recording, visual documentation, and ecological arts practice, the project connects Indigenous knowledge with environmental issues. This multi-sensory work helps pass on traditions to younger generations, while protecting these sacred soundscapes as an important part of cultural identity and resilience.
The single will be released on EarthSonic and In Place of War's record label and a sound bank will be delivered to the Sounds Archive. An immersive installation will also be produced from this project and tour globally in 2027.
Project Outputs
Electronic music artist Natural Symphony has travelled to Sabah as part of the project, capturing plant and star data on the ground which will be combined with the field recordings and footage captured by the rest of the team and used as source material for brand new music by pioneering electronic music artist Paul Hartnoll (Orbital), inspired by the Rinait chants and rainforest soundscapes.
The work will culminate in a single release alongside the premiere of an immersive installation by visual artist Ben Sheppee, set to tour internationally in 2027. The music, along with the visual and audio footage gathered, will form the heart of the installation.
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