Voice of the Ocean (Story 1): A Beginning of Our Taitung Journey

Photo: Cegaw (2025)

Taiwan had always lived in the corners of my curiosity, woven feom stories of friends, whispers of landscapes, and glimpses of culture that felt almost magical. I didn’t know how I would get there, yet deep inside, I felt the universe quietly nudging me toward that dream. Then one day, scrolling through Instagram, I saw it: an announcement for the “Voice of The Ocean, International Austronesian Musicians Residency in Taitung.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Taitung? Where is that? Which part of Taiwan is it in?” I had never explored it before, but as I began to search, a wave of curiosity and wonder washed over me. Pictures of lush mountains, winding rivers, and vibrant local life filled my mind. I imagined myself walking there, learning, sharing music, connecting hearts across cultures. “I hope I can set foot there,” I whispered to myself, eyes wide with hope.

Applications could be made solo or as a duo. I applied with Dinar, my partner in our still-new duo, Sunyaruri. Though the group was young, our bond was already strong, and this residency felt like the perfect beginning. A chance to grow together, understand each other, and journey into the unknown hand in hand.

When the acceptance notice arrived, I could hardly breathe. Relief, joy, and gratitude collided in my chest. My eyes filled with tears, warmth spread through me, and for a moment, the world seemed to smile, saying softly, “This is your path, begin.” That moment marked the first step of a journey that would stretch across cultures, landscapes, and hearts, igniting our spirit to learn, share, and explore with open arms.
We departed from our hometown on August 25, 2025, and from the very first day, Taitung welcomed us with open arms. I met a “family” of warmth and care, Aunty Homi, Uncle Dakanow, Nung Nung, Amanda, Shura, Insay, Nick Lee, Sakinu, Cegaw, Ting-yu Lin, and many others, whose presence made every step feel safe, tender, and full of togetherness. Their smiles and kindness became the gentle heartbeat of this new chapter.

The residency also brought together artists from across the Austronesian world: Uncle Baikas from Malaysia, Uncle Lala from Madagascar, Mas Gigih from Indonesia, and Govinda from the Philippines. With them, each moment of learning and sharing felt alive, infused with curiosity, laughter, and the joy of discovery. Music truly revealed itself as a universal language, weaving invisible threads between hearts, regardless of the words spoken.

Photo: Cegaw (2025)

For this journey, I brought my voice, as always, along with a collection of traditional bamboo instruments: suling, bangsing, keprak (a frog-voice bamboo), mamanukan (a bamboo flute that imitates birdsong), hatong (another bird-call instrument) and karinding (a jaw harp made of bamboo). I also carried a tarompet penca, carved from wood with a reed of coconut leaves and a pipe made from chicken or duck feathers. Meanwhile, Dinar brought her laptop and other tools to create new compositions. These instruments became more than sound. They became bridges, connecting Sunyaruri’s Sundanese music with the hearts of those we met, sharing stories that needed no translation.

Writing this now, my chest swells with warmth and gratitude. I know this is only the beginning. One month of learning, creating, and bonding that will leave an imprint on my soul. The residency will continue until our return to Indonesia on September 23, 2025, but even now, every smile, every shared melody, and every new friendship reminds me that Sunyaruri has found a home among kindred spirits, ready to grow, to share, and to carry music across oceans.

Bunga Dessri Nur Ghaliyah – Taitung, 2025

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