Types of Unique and Legendary Sasak Tribe Musical Instruments

Types of Unique and Legendary Sasak Tribe Musical Instruments –  Every tribe in Indonesia has a typical musical instrument that reflects the cultural richness of each region. Likewise, the Sasak Tribe has a number of unique and legendary musical instruments. The existence of these musical instruments cannot be separated from the tradition of making them which still uses conventional methods, thus producing a distinctive sound in each performance.

Types of Unique and Legendary Sasak Tribe Musical Instruments

 

theaddamsfamilymusicalstore – The richness of art and culture inherent in the Sasak Tribe makes musical instruments a very important element. In every traditional ceremony or other activity, performances with musical instruments that are the result of local creations can often be found. This makes musical instruments a representation that reflects regional traditions and identities.

Of course, readers may be interested in knowing what musical instruments are commonly used by the Sasak Tribe in various traditional activities. The following is an explanation of these musical instruments which can be an insight before visiting Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).

Getting to Know the Sasak Tribe Better

The Sasak Tribe is one of the Indonesian tribes that inhabits Lombok Island. The term “Sasak” comes from the word “sak sak,” which means “one by one.” The cultural system documented in the Nagara Kartha Gama book, the work of Empu Nala from Majapahit, provides a solid foundation for the development of the Sasak Tribe’s cultural system.

With an established cultural system, the Sasak Tribe can maintain the sustainability of their local wisdom to this day. This can be seen from the efforts to preserve culture that are actively maintained and passed down from generation to generation.

The Sasak Tribe is a tribe that has experienced cultural integration, which is clearly reflected in the traditions and customs that are carried out. Cultural influences, especially from Bali and Malay, are very strong, especially in the past when both cultures once ruled Lombok Island during the kingdom period.

Types of Sasak Tribe Musical Instruments

The richness of customs that continue to be maintained by the Sasak Tribe can be clearly seen through the preservation of unique and legendary traditional musical instruments. Through this musical instrument, Sasak culture can be known by the wider community, because every traditional activity is always accompanied by the playing of this musical instrument.

 

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The following are some types of musical instruments owned by the Sasak Tribe:

1. Gendang Beleq

This musical instrument is played in events that take place on stage or in open fields, especially during traditional celebrations or important moments such as the Prophet’s Birthday, Eid, and others. The performance of the gendang beleq is usually accompanied by dance. There are two variations of the gendang beleq, namely the gendang mama which is intended for men, and the gendang nina which is intended for women.

2. Terumpang Musical Instrument

This musical instrument has similarities with gamelan originating from Java. On the side of the terumpang musical instrument there is a protrusion that functions as a medium for beating with a special tool to produce sound. Terumpang is made of brass and is played by a sekaha by being hit.

3. Gong Tawaq-Tawaq

This musical instrument is similar to the drum which also originates from Java. Tawaq-tawaq has a similar shape and is played by hitting it with your hands while sitting. This musical instrument is often played in processions during traditional parades or as a means of entertainment.

4. Gula Gending

The gula gending musical instrument, sourced from dictio.id, is one of the traditional musical instruments that plays an important role in the culture of the Sasak Tribe.

Information about this musical instrument can provide a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage of the Sasak Tribe, as well as its role in preserving traditions that have existed for a long time.
This unique type of musical instrument is a traditional instrument made of zinc and textiles. In general, this instrument functions as a container for storing or selling cotton candy, known as arumanis and made of granulated sugar. This is where the name “gula gending” comes from. This musical instrument is generally played by traders who go around selling cotton candy.

5. Satong Srek

Satong srek is a relatively simple musical instrument, because it is made of bamboo and zinc. This instrument is used as an additional musical instrument in orchestral performances. The sound source of the satong srek comes from a zinc plate that has a sharp and rough surface. This instrument is played by rubbing and hitting it to produce sound.

6. Palompong/Cungklik

Palompong is a traditional musical instrument from the Sasak tribe, included in the category of cellophane musical instruments made of wood and metal. To produce sound, the pelompang is played by hitting it. The sound produced can sound harmonious because the blades of the palompong function as resonators.

7. Serunai

Serunai is a musical instrument that is played by blowing. Its shape is almost similar to modern musical instruments such as clarinets, with the main difference being the materials used to make it, namely bamboo and coconut leaves. Serunai is equipped with four tone holes that are controlled using fingers. This instrument is generally played in groups, together with other traditional musical instruments of the Sasak tribe.

8. Genggong

Genggong is a unique musical instrument, both in terms of shape and how it is played. Made of bamboo and rope, the sound produced comes from the vibration of the genggong tongue produced by the player’s hand pulling, accompanied by the regulation of breath in the oral cavity and the touch of the tongue to the palate.

9. Pareret

Pareret is a musical instrument of the Sasak tribe that is played by blowing, often involved in orchestral games and functions as a melodic musical instrument. Made of bamboo, the pareret has a shape resembling a trumpet and is often played in traditional ceremonies and other traditional activities.

10. Mandolin

Mandolin is a traditional musical instrument played at certain events. Its main function is as an accompaniment to the rudat dance and traditional songs of the Sasak tribe. This musical instrument is equipped with strings and is played by rubbing it, similar to playing a violin, to produce sound.

Thus are the types of unique and legendary musical instruments from the Sasak tribe. Every instrument owned by the Sasak tribe is always used in various traditional events and other activities, as an effort to preserve traditional musical instruments which are part of the cultural heritage.

If you are interested in visiting Lombok for a vacation and want to witness musical instruments directly and learn more about the Sasak tribe, you don’t need to be confused. Take advantage of the Lombok tour packages provided by First Lombok Tour to make your trip to Lombok easier.

 

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The Charm of Traditional Music from Lombok Island

Indonesia has a small island in the West Nusa Tenggara region that is very interesting, namely Lombok Island. This island is a favorite tourist destination for many visitors, both from within the country and abroad.

Therefore, choosing Lombok Island as a holiday destination is the right decision. Many people call Lombok Island “New Bali” because its beauty is no less great than the Island of the Gods, Bali. Lombok not only offers natural panoramas that are still natural, but also traditional arts that are still preserved, one of which is the gendang beleq.

Gendang beleq is a traditional musical art that is typical of the Sasak Tribe, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. This performance always attracts the attention of the surrounding community and is able to captivate many pairs of eyes to watch it.

In the Sasak language, the term “gendang” means a percussion instrument, while “beleq” means big. Therefore, this drum is larger than the drum in general, with a diameter of about 50 centimeters and a length of 1.5 meters. This drum is made from meranti trees that grow abundantly in Lombok, so it produces a loud and resonant sound.

The gendang beleq performance is usually performed in groups with musical accompaniment while walking around. Each group consists of 13 to 17 people and will play several types of musical instruments. However, the main musical instrument is still a large drum.

In addition to playing musical instruments that produce melodious sounds, the performers also present typical Lombok dances that are full of emotion and appreciation. Each gendang beleq song has different and varied movements. The compactness of these movements creates an attractive and entertaining performance.

1. Encouragement for Warriors
In the beginning, the gendang beleq functioned as an accompanying musical instrument and encouragement for soldiers when they were going to the battlefield. The community believed that the sound of the gendang beleq drum could increase the courage and self-confidence of soldiers in fighting to defend the kingdom of Lombok. When the soldiers returned with victory, the community lit a celebration to welcome their success.

The beauty of the gendang beleq art also contains the soul and identity of the heroism of the Sasak people. Over time, the gendang beleq has changed its function; currently, it is more often used as accompanying music for various traditional events, arts, culture, and folk entertainment.

This performance also involves various additional musical instruments. In addition to the gendang mama and gendang nine as part of the gendang beleq, there are also other musical instruments such as the gendang kodeq (small drum), reong, prembak baleq, prembak kodeq, large gong, gong oncer, gong penyelak, lelontek, and petuk, which combine to produce melodious sounds to the ear.

2. Accompaniment to Traditional Sasak Weddings

For the Sasak people, the gendang beleq has a sacred philosophical value. Therefore, it is not surprising that you can witness the beauty of the gendang beleq when attending a wedding in Lombok. At the nyongkolan event, the peak of the wedding ritual series, this musical instrument will accompany the procession of the bride and groom around the village to the bride’s residence.

Moreover, when the harvest season arrives, many couples in the Sasak Tribe make sacred promises to live together, so the gendang beleq performance schedule is always full. This performance involves gendang beleq players who can reach up to 40 people, who are in front of the bride and groom to enliven the event. This art does have its own appeal in the hearts of the Sasak people.

3. Entertainers at Various Events

Gendang beleq performances are also entertainers at various other events, adding joy to the celebrations and culture of the Lombok people.

Gendang Beleq is a traditional art form that is renowned and celebrated in Lombok Island. Several artistic communities in Lombok continue to uphold and preserve this cultural heritage. Over time, this art form has gained prominence as a source of entertainment at various events, including cultural festivals, official receptions, and other gatherings.

Gendang Beleq once welcomed participants of the UNESCO Global Geopark (UGG) Council and the APGN AC Meeting in Lombok, specifically at Gili Trawangan. This event took place when the delegates from the 6th APGN Symposium in 2019 arrived at the tourist destination of Gili Trawangan. The performance by the drummers captured the attention of the esteemed guests from around the world.

Visitors may also witness Gendang Beleq performances when they visit the traditional village of Sade in Central Lombok or the Southern Coast tourist areas. At these locations, all attendees can enjoy several traditional art forms as an introduction to Lombok’s tourism offerings.