Wayang - Lagu Bertempur

Audio 7.12: Audio Example 12 in Chapter 7 of book: Margaret Kartomi, ‘Musical Journeys in Sumatra’, Champaign-Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2012. One of Palembang’s main contributions to Sumatran arts lies in its Javanese-derived “wayang kulit” or shadow puppet performances and gamelan. Unlike courts in other provinces of Sumatra which were predominantly Malay, the members of Palembang’s former palace regarded themselves as descendants of Javanese aristocracy. As such, they prized Javanese music, language and culture. “Wayang-Lagu Bertempur”, a “lagu perang” or war song, was the first musical item presented in a “wayang kulit” performance recorded in January 1988 in Palembang. The “gamelan” instruments accompanying the puppet action, and led by Bp A. Syudin, comprised a metallophone (“saron”) playing the melody, gongs (“kempur” and “kenong”) to maintain the tempo, and a double-headed drum (“gendang”) to provide rhythmic interest and leadership. Duration: 3 min. 17 sec. Copyright 1988. Margaret J. Kartomi.