Alena Murang

Last updated
Alena Murang
Lipang [1]
Born
Alena Ose' Murang [2]

1989 (age 35–36) [3]
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Education University of Manchester (BSc)
Occupations
  • Singer
  • lyricist
  • composer
  • music producer
  • visual artist
Years active2016–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
Labels
Website www.alenamurang.com

Alena Murang (born 1989) is a Malaysian singer-songwriter, sape player, visual artist and educator who sings in endangered languages including Kelabit and Kenyah. [5] [3] She is one of the first women to play the sape, a lute instrument from Borneo traditionally (pre-1930s) reserved for male healers. [5]

Contents

Early life and background

Murang was born in Kuching, Sarawak to her retired civil servant father Datu Ose Murang, of Kelabit heritage and an anthropologist mother, Datin Dr. Valerie Mashman who is an Englishwoman of Italian descent. [3] [6] [7] She started playing the sape at the age of 10, learning from renowned sape master Matthew Ngau Jau. [6] [8] She graduated with a First Class BSc (Hons) management degree from the Manchester Business School, University of Manchester. She went on to work in management consulting at PricewaterhouseCoopers, focusing on environmental sustainability, before leaving to study visual arts for a year in Singapore. [8] Prior to pursuing music full-time, she worked as strategy manager for not-for-profit organization, Teach for Malaysia. [8]

On June 10, 2024, she received a certificate confirming her Sarawakian native status from the Malaysian government, which allows her to inherit native land. [9]

Career

Murang made her debut as an artiste in 2016 with the release of EP, Flight. [6] She never formally studied music, but has been learning the dance, songs, and music from her elders. [6] She has performed at many renowned world music festivals including the SXSW (USA), Colors of Ostrava (Czech Republic), Paris Fashion Week (France), Rudolstadt-Festival (Germany), OzAsia Festival (Australia), and Rainforest World Music Festival (Malaysia). She was a youth representative at the UNESCO Youth Forum in Paris, and UNESCO Asia-Pacific for her work in intangible cultural heritage.

She was listed in Tatler Asia's list of Most Influential Malaysia in 2021, and Gen.T Malaysia in 2018 & 2019. [6] In March 2023, she held her first painting exhibition Colours of the Highlands at the Hoan Gallery at La Promenade Mall, Kuching. [10]

In May 2024, in collaboration with Sabahan singer-songwriter Velvet Aduk, she released the track "Bejugit Betanda Menari" (Dance Dance Dance) for the annual Gawai Dayak holiday. [11] On September 7, she participated in The Sounds of Borneo, a concert with the Malaysian Symphony Orchestra featuring solo artists such as Murang, Velvet Aduk, and Marsha Milan. [12]

In 2025, during the launching of Sarawak Biodiversity Policy Statement and Master Plan, she was appointed as Sarawak's Biodiversity Ambassador. [13] At the Expo 2025, Alena is featured as one of Malaysia's iconic figures at the Malaysia Pavilion. [14]

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Promotional singles
YearTitleRef(s)Notes
2022"Many Tomorrows" [15] The song and music video is a collaboration with the Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (SCAN) in conjunction with World Cancer Day.
2025"Borneo Rain" [16] The song was recorded in Kelabit, Malay and instrumental versions, and was released in time for the International Mother Earth Day.
"Jaga Alam" [17] The song was released in connection with World Biodiversity Day and the Gawai Dayak festivities.
Collaboration
YearTitleArtist(s)AlbumRef(s)
2024"War Cry" Marsha Milan and Velvet AdukSingle [18] [19]
"Bejugit Betanda Menari"Velvet AdukSingle [20]
"Anun Bala"Sauljaljui, Mathew Ngau JauSingle [21]

Concerts, showcases and tours

Solo

  • Live in Kuala Lumpur : Alena Murang Sky Songs, Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC), Petaling Jaya (2023) [22]

As headliner

As supporting act

Filmography

Film and television
YearTitleRoleRef(s)Notes
2019Small Island Big Song: An Oceanic SonglineHerself [35] A musical cinematographic project featuring over a hundred musicians across 16 island nations of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Iman Untuk BulanBulan [36] Television movie for Astro First.
2022Roads To Our HeritageKey cast and writer [37] [38] A six-part documentary journey of the companionship of Sabah rock band Estranged together with Alena Murang and Dr. Nadia Widyawati from Universiti Teknologi MARA music faculty discovering the heritage of traditional instrument across Sabah and Sarawak.

Awards and accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef(s)
2020Buenos Aires Music Video FestivalBest International VideoMidang MidangNominated [39]
Best StylingWon [39]
2021UK's International Music Video AwardsBest Asia & Pacific Music VideoWarrior SpiritWon [40]
Best CostumeHonorable Mention [40]
Los Angeles Film AwardsSpecial Jury AwardWon [40]
Rome International Movie AwardsBest Music VideoWon [40]
New York International Film AwardsBest Music VideoWon [40]
Best Ethnographic FilmWon [40]
Buenos Aires Music Video FestivalBest World Music VideoWon [41]

References

  1. ↑ Tahir Alhamzah (2022-08-23). "#Showbiz: Celebrating indigenous art and her roots". New Straits Times. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  2. ↑ "Ep 22: Alena Murang (Sarawakian Sape Player, Visual Artist & Heritage Advocate)". So This Is Why. 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  3. 1 2 3 Wong Pek Mei (2022-01-05). "Sarawak's mixed-race children struggle over 'native' identity". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  4. ↑ "Sarawakian songstress Alena Murang returns to Taiwan this month to play two international music festivals". Dayak Daily. 2022-10-10. Retrieved 2022-10-10.
  5. 1 2 Angel Romero (2022-05-24). "Artist Profiles: Alena Murang". World Music Central. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Alena Murang". Tatler Asia. 2022-01-05. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  7. 1 2 Maya Suraya (29 October 2021). "Sarawak Ulu Culture Will Hit The Big Stage at Taiwan World Music Festival". The Rakyat Post. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 Joash Kong (2015-06-21). "In pursuit of the magical sape'". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  9. ↑ "Alena Murang finally a Sarawakian native". Borneo Post Online. 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  10. ↑ Matthew Umpang (16 March 2023). "Alena Murang hopes 'Colours of the Highlands' well-received by art lovers". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  11. ↑ "Velvet Aduk, Alena Murang unite for new song 'Bejugit Betanda Menari'". Borneo Post Online. 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  12. ↑ Zikri, Arif (2024-09-06). "Get in the spirit of Malaysia Day with the sounds of Borneo by MPO featuring Marsha Milan, Velvet Aduk and Alena Murang". Malay Mail. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  13. ↑ Len Talif Salleh (23 April 2025). ""Turut diumumkan dalam majlis tersebut ialah pelantikan Puan Alena Murang sebagai Duta Biodiversiti Sarawak, yang akan memainkan peranan penting dalam mempromosi dan meningkatkan kesedaran awam mengenai kepentingan pemuliharaan biodiversiti negeri ini."". Facebook (in Malay). Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  14. ↑ "Epilogue: Hall of Fame". Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry Website (MITI). Archived from the original on 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  15. ↑ A. Azim Idris (7 February 2022). "Watch Alena Murang's uplifting music video for 'Many Tomorrows'". NME. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  16. ↑ "Alena Murang's latest single 'Borneo Rain' out in time for Mother Earth Day". The Borneo Post. 23 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  17. ↑ "Alena Murang's latest single released in connection with World Biodiversity Day". The Borneo Post. 19 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  18. ↑ "'War Cry' song celebrates Malaysian Borneo's heritage". The Borneo Post. 16 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  19. ↑ ""WAR CRY is now available on all streaming platforms! Don't miss the music video premiere at 12PM today. This is brought to you by the Ministry of Communications and Digital via MyCreative Ventures. Thank you for supporting and building the creative industry through Dana Kandungan Digital."". Velvet Aduk's Instagram. 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  20. ↑ "#Showbiz: Alena Murang, Velvet Aduk release 'Bejugit Betanda Menari' in conjunction with Gawai celebrations". New Straits Times. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  21. ↑ Matthew Umpang (17 July 2025). "Taiwanese artiste releases new song featuring Sarawak's Alena Murang". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  22. ↑ "Alena Murang's first solo sape concert is inspired by elements of the sky". The Star. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  23. ↑ "Weekend for the arts: FreedomFilmFest returns, music from Borneo in downtown KL". The Star. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  24. ↑ SITI ATHIRAH DZULKIFLY (12 August 2024). "Sounds of Borneo tampilkan Marsha, Alena dan Velvet". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  25. ↑ "Borneo Native Festival returns to KL". The Borneo Post. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
  26. ↑ "The Crocker Range Festival 2025 Returns with a Bigger, More Culturally-Rich Celebration". Nabalu News. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
  27. ↑ "Female sape player comes home to Rainforest World Music Festival". The Borneo Post. 23 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  28. ↑ Terry Ng (15 June 2021). "Alena Murang, At Adau, Nading Rhapsody, Mathew Ngau and more to perform at virtual Rainforest World Music Festival 2021". Bandwagon. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  29. ↑ "Local icons Alena, Bamboo Woods to perform at RMWF 2022". The Borneo Post. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  30. ↑ Arif Zikri (25 August 2020). "Join local artists at the Roar for Life Virtual Concert to save Malayan tigers". Malay Mail. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  31. ↑ Antonia Chiam (17 November 2021). "Alena to perform at Te Aratini Festival in Dubai". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  32. ↑ "OH!Tenang with Alena Murang". Ticket2u. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  33. ↑ HASNURUL MOHAMED (17 January 2024). "Tiket Konsert Estranged Apa Khabar Teman? murah". Suara Merdeka. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  34. ↑ "Desaru Coast presents weekend fun with Ombak Festival". TTG Asia. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  35. ↑ "Small Island Big Song: An Oceanic Songline". IMDb. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  36. ↑ "Iman Untuk Bulan". Movie Fone. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  37. ↑ "Local band Estranged, Alena Murang explore traditional musical instruments in documentary". New Straits Times. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  38. ↑ "ROADS TO OUR HERITAGE". Film Freeway. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  39. 1 2 "Alena Murang wins award at Buenos Aires Music Video Festival". The Sun Daily. 2020-10-12. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Karmun Ng (2021-09-01). "With her sape, Alena Murang will always find her way home". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  41. ↑ "Alena Murang's 'Warrior Spirit' bags award at Buenos Aires Music Video Festival 2021". Dayak Daily. 2021-12-17. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
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