Alena Murang


Alena Murang is a Malaysian singer-songwriter, sape player, visual artist and educator who sings in endangered languages including Kelabit and Kenyah. She is one of the first women to play the sape, a lute instrument from Borneo traditionally reserved for male healers.

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. She started playing the sape at the age of 10, learning from renowned sape master Matthew Ngau Jau. She graduated with a First Class BSc 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. Prior to pursuing music full-time, she worked as strategy manager for not-for-profit organization, Teach for Malaysia.
On June 10, 2024, she received a certificate confirming her Sarawakian native status from the Malaysian government, which allows her to inherit native land.

Career

Murang made her debut as an artiste in 2016 with the release of EP, Flight. She never formally studied music, but has been learning the dance, songs, and music from her elders. She has performed at many renowned world music festivals including the SXSW, Colors of Ostrava, Paris Fashion Week, Rudolstadt-Festival, OzAsia Festival, and Rainforest World Music Festival. 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. In March 2023, she held her first painting exhibition Colours of the Highlands at the Hoan Gallery at La Promenade Mall, Kuching.
In May 2024, in collaboration with Sabahan singer-songwriter Velvet Aduk, she released the track "Bejugit Betanda Menari" for the annual Gawai Dayak holiday. 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.
In 2025, during the launching of Sarawak Biodiversity Policy Statement and Master Plan, she was appointed as Sarawak's Biodiversity Ambassador. At the Expo 2025, Alena is featured as one of Malaysia's iconic figures at the Malaysia Pavilion.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Flight
  • ''Sky Songs''

    Singles

;Promotional singles
YearTitleNotes
2022"Many Tomorrows"The song and music video is a collaboration with the Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching in conjunction with World Cancer Day.
2025"Borneo Rain"The song was recorded in Kelabit, Malay and instrumental versions, and was released in time for the International Mother Earth Day.
2025"Jaga Alam"The song was released in connection with World Biodiversity Day and the Gawai Dayak festivities.

;Collaboration
YearTitleArtistAlbum
2024"War Cry"Marsha Milan and Velvet AdukSingle
2024"Bejugit Betanda Menari"Velvet AdukSingle
2024"Anun Bala"Sauljaljui, Mathew Ngau JauSingle

Concerts, showcases and tours

Solo

Awards and accolades