TRADITIONS MUSIC INSTRUMENTS
GENDANG BELEQ
Other distinctive cultural feature
of natives in Lombok is Gendang Beleq (big size drums) performance. In the
performance, the big drums are stroked. This attraction has been one of
traditional music attractions. It serves a function as welcoming performance
for respected guest, which is followed by a tradition of draping scarf, weaved
by the natives around their guest’neck. It demonstrates how the natives show
their respect to their guest who comes for travelling or friendship.
Respecting
their guest and travelers has become a local tradition rooted and practiced
across generation.Besides earlier stated purpose, Gendang Beleq is also used to
deliver newly wedding couple to meet the Bride’s parents after getting married
in ceremony called as nyongkolan.
Recently, purpose of performing
gendang beleq has slightly shifted.In the past, it was used as something to
spur soldiers of Sasak on a departure to a battlefield. More powerful and
stroked sound produced by the musicians would give much stronger spirit of the
soldiers, as of victory has been grasped.
Nowadays, this indigenous percussion
has become an attribute of local identity of the natives of Lombok. Moreover,
some performances were listed in Museum Rekor Indonesia ( Muri- Indonesia Book
Record), such as in Lombok Begendang – the biggest gendang beleq performance
ever made.
Gendang Beleq is made of a quite
solid wood, shaped in elongated round instrument and on both edges of the tube
are covered by buffalo leather or cowhide. These two edges are the source of
bluster voice every time a player beats them. Unique technique of beating the
leather wrapped edges drives such as a great spirit of the hearer. Anyone who
plays this instrument looks handsome and powerful. The player drapes around a
trap attached to the instrument on his shoulder to his back and put the
instrument in front of his chest.
One instrument weighs between 10-15
kilograms, even more. An artist who is still persistently produces this
instrument is Ketut Kantun in his workshop around Gunung Sari – Lombok Barat.He
also produces small replications of the instruments as souvenirs with various
shapes, such as a key holder and statues. Smaller version of gendang beleq is
also produced for children aged 5-6 years old.
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