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Treasure Trove:
Malaysia's Folkart
A little more about...Malaysian Traditional Music
Kompang, Gamelan, Serunai, and Rebana Ubi. These are just a few of the traditional instruments used to create music in the days gone by in Malaysia. Each has its unique sound, and whilst they can all be played solo, there is a lilting sense of beauty when their notes harmonise together. In all, they represent the melodic tune that haunts one’s sweet dreams of Malaya.
The traditional musical instruments of Malaysia that were used in the olden days were primarily made out of materials procured from the forests, alongside animal hide and skin. Wood that is durable and does not expand easily when in contact with water is usually favoured by the craftsman. This is due to the fact that Malaysia is a tropical country and humidity plays a very important factor in the making of these pieces. Also, the material used affects and sets the modulations of the sound these pieces produce.
The Kompang is a traditional instrument that belongs to the Gendang family, and made its entry into Malaysia in the 13th century via Arab traders.
The term gendang simply translates into ‘drums’. Traditionally, it is made out of sheep or buffalo skin, but in recent times, synthetic leather has also been used to create the Kompang.
A Kompang ensemble usually consists of a group of people, predominantly young men, who beat their Kompang along with the percussion being played in an interlocking, rhythmic pattern accompanied by choral singing.
These tunes are passed down from the Master of the Kompang ensemble from one generation to the next, and are learnt by ear. The Kompang is most often played during celebrations, weddings and the coming and going of someone important.
A set of Kompang
If there is one musical medium that is bound to send chills down your spine, it would be the legendary Gamelan.
An ensemble consisting of many percussive instruments, including gong chimes and double headed drums to accompany a graceful classical dance, the Gamelan is truly a musical masterpiece.
Originating from Java and Bali, the Malay Gamelan is in fact less complex than its counterparts.
It was brought to the royal court of Pahang in 1811 from Riau dan Lingga and to the state of Terengganu after the royal marriage of the Princess of Pahang and the Prince of Terengganu.
Gamelan is used to accompany the dance Joget gamelan, and has of late enjoyed a revival period of sorts, having been incorporated into the national culture and currently actively sponsored by the Government of Malaysia.
The Serunai is a double reed oboe and is usually played in a Malay puppet show, known better as Wayang Kulit, from the state of Kelantan.
It is indigenous to the people of Minang of Malaysia.
A Serunai is a wind instrument, made of jackfruit wood with seven holes on the upper section and one hole on the other end. Its reed is made out of local palm tree leaves known as daun tar.
It is usually decorated with motifs that are personal to the artist, mostly consisting animal or floral symbols.
The Serunai is also experiencing a comeback as wayang kulit regains its popularity.
A Gamelan ensemble
A Serunai
A Rebana Ubi
Rebana Ubi is classified as part of the gendang family. Simply put, it is a drum, albeit a very large drum, with a minimum height span of one metre.
It is made using a large stretch of whole animal skin, typically buffalo hide due to its thickness and durability, as well as its ability to produce a sonorous, gong-like sound when hit using the rounded end of a drum-stick.
So loud is the sound a Rebana Ubi makes that it was also traditionally used for communicating over long distances. A Rebana Ubi would be placed on top of a large hill and it would be struck according to certain codes to get the message across to a neighbouring village or kingdom, almost like the Malaysian version of Morse code.
Nowadays, the Rebana Ubi is only used for royal ceremonial purposes.
[Interested to learn Gamelan Music? to learn how!]