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Gordang Sambilan Irama Pamilihon

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posted on 2017-06-05, 06:59 authored by Kartomi, Margaret J., Kartomi, Hidris
Audio 11.1: Audio Example 1 in Chapter 11 of book: Margaret Kartomi, ‘Musical Journeys in Sumatra’, Champaign-Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2012. Pakantan, situated in the south-west corner of North Sumatra, is an isolated valley of Batak Mandailing hamlets. The people were eventually converted to Islam after Muslim Padri forces invaded the area from around 1810. However, vestiges of ancestral customs and beliefs still prevail in ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, house-warmings and healing rituals. Drum ensembles are a feature of the traditional music that accompanies these practices. The Mandailing believe that ancestral and nature spirits are drawn like a magnet to the sound of cyclic drum rhythms that may be played on 3 types of drum sets. The “gordang sambilan”, a set of 9 tuned single-headed drums, has the highest orchestral status and was accordingly reserved for ceremonial occasions of the local raja/chieftain, including weddings and funerals. The very fast “Gordang Sambilan Irama Pamilihon” (‘Going Home Rhythm’) was recorded in December 1978. The piece is performed at the end of weddings, and other feasts, to accompany the departure of guests. Also included in the ensemble are kettle gongs (“momongan”), small cymbals (“talisasayap”), gongs and an oboe (“sarune” in Mandailing, and “sarunai” in the Malay and Indonesian languages). Duration: 1 min.48 sec. Copyright 1978. Margaret J. Kartomi.

History

Collector/donor

Margaret J. Kartomi

Geographic location

North Sumatra – Tapanuli Selatan – Pakantan

Collection date

1978

Collection Type

Sound