music
ambience: Gordang Sambilan music
We’re in Indonesia, listening to a celebration marking the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. Although this music is rarely performed publicly, it’s both an ancient tradition and a modern source of cultural pride. I’m Jim Metzner, and this is the Pulse of the Planet.
The collection of drums, gongs, cymbals and flute that we’re listening to is called the Gordang Sambilan. It’s a unique and centuries-old tradition of the Mandailing people of Northcentral Sumatra. The Mandailing consider odd numbers to be magical, and their ceremonial ensembles always include an odd number of drums. The Gordang Sembilan has nine drums — sembilan means nine — and it’s played at the end of Ramadan and on certain royal occasions. The Mandailing are primarily farmers, growing rice, cinnamon, coffee and rubber. During years of Dutch rule in Sumatra and later occupation by Japan, Mandailing culture underwent changes, and some say that valuable traditions were lost. But in recent years, there’s been a renewed effort by the Mandailing to preserve their heritage — especially the sacred music of the Gordang Sembilan.
Our thanks to anthropologist Zainudin Pangaduan Lubis. To hear about our new CD, please visit pulseplanet.com. Pulse of the Planet is made possible by the National Science Foundation. I’m Jim Metzner.