Ba'kelalan:As the clock approaches 10.30 pm and the bustle of the city begins to fade, Rining Peter Paris's creative world comes alive. The 53-year-old musician dedicates his late-night hours to crafting the tapi, a traditional two-stringed instrument of Sarawak's Lun Bawang community, from his backyard workshop.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rining, originally from the Ba'kelalan highlands, is one of the few remaining tapi makers in Malaysia. He works from 10.30 pm until 3 am, focusing on intricate carvings on pulai wood, known locally as pelai. His craftsmanship features a signature menudun, or helmeted hornbill, motif.

The tapi, smaller than the more commonly known sape, holds a distinct place in Lun Bawang heritage. Rining's instruments undergo 10 main production stages, from cutting the wood to intricate carving and smoke treatment. Despite challenges such as wood cracking, he repurposes leftover pieces into smaller handicrafts, ensuring no material is wasted.

With the tradition at risk due to ageing craftsmen and health concerns, Rining plans to train young Lun Bawang proteges, aiming to fully commit to the craft by 2028. His efforts have garnered international interest, including from a German woodworker, and the tapi's integration into electronic dance music by musician Belle Sisoski.

Rining has sold more than 66 tapi instruments at an average of RM1,100 each, highlighting the instrument's cultural and economic value. He also conducts workshops in Ba'kelalan, teaching villagers the craft, from basic woodworking to intricate carvings, and hopes more young people will help preserve the tapi for future generations.