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Indonesian Angklung marks_1
  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00000088
    Country Indonesia
    ICH Domain Oral traditions and representations Performing Arts Social practices, rituals, festive events Knowledge and practices about nature and the universe Traditional craft skills
    Address
    West Java Province, particularly in the districts of Bandung, Bogor, Sukabumi and Sumedang, Rangkasbitung in Banten Province. Found also in Central Java, DI Yogyakarta, East Java, Bali, NTT, NTB, DKI Jakarta, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, North Sumatra, South Sumatra, Riau and Riau Islands Provinces. Angklung culture has been known for a long time until now in Banten and West Java Provinces. Lately Saung Aungklung Udjo has been sending angklung to many provinces in Indonesia, and to 49 countries in the world.
Description Angklung is a simple, original bamboo musical instrument of Indonesia documented since at least 1704. The word Angklung comes from the Sudanese angkleung-angkleungan. Angka means pitch/tone, and lung means broken. 2-4 bamboo resonating tubes carved and tuned carefully are suspended in a rectangular partitioned frame made of white bamboo tightly bound with rattan cords. Lugs on the bottom of the tubes move in rectangular shaped slots in the bamboo base tube of the frame. The resonator tubes sound when the frame is shaken or tapped. The 2 or 3 resonating tubes are tuned to the same note in different octaves. There are also 3 and 4 tube angklungs with tubes tuned to the notes of a chord. Making and tuning the resonator tubes is a great skill taking years to master. Udjo Ngalagena, founder of Saung Angklung Udjo, referred to the sound of angklung as ‘the music of nature'. The form of the angklung itself contains symbolism and philosophical values. The large and small tubes symbolize that the great, strong and rich must always protect and shelter the small, weak and poor. Each angklung has at least 2 resonating tubes, symbolizing that human beings should never isolate themselves or be egoistic, but rather always live within a society. The tubes are arrayed from small to large. This symbolizes that every day, human beings must strive to be better than yesterday, and that some people are created small and some big, but there is nothing to be regretted, as it is all due to fate. The angklung will sound nicely if the large and small tubes move at the same time, within their limits. This symbolizes that if everyone is aware of his or her rights and responsibilities, life will be harmonious. The tubes will sound if the lugs at their bottom ends touch the base tube of the frame. Similarly, one may become great, speak and be of good character if one does not forget one’s identity and culture, while if one forgets then one cannot become anything. The three tubes of an angklung symbolize tritangtu, (in Bali trihitakarana) -- to perform good action with mind, body and words. Each angklung produces a single note or chord. Thus many players each holding a single instrument must collaborate together to play melodies. This develops teamwork, mutual respect (learning to live together), discipline, and artistic sense, even among players from different communities or nationalities. Traditional angklungs use pentatonic scale, while modern/Padaeng angklungs use dialtonic scale. Angklung is closely related with traditional customs, arts and cultural identity in West Java and Banten Provinces and elsewhere. Traditional angklungs are played during ceremonies, eg. rice planting time with the hope of a bountiful harvest, harvest time, circumcision, etc. Traditional angklung culture is transmitted from parents to children, or through non-formal education. Now modern Angklung Padaeng is taught in educational institutions from kindergarten to university level, and is proven to have a positive effect.
Social and cultural significance Each angklung produces a single note or chord. Thus many players each holding a single instrument must collaborate together to play melodies. This develops teamwork, mutual respect (learning to live together), discipline, and artistic sense, even among players from different communities or nationalities. Angklung is closely related with traditional customs, arts and cultural identity in West Java and Banten Provinces and elsewhere. Many philosophical values are associated with the form of the instruments. Now modern Angklung Padaeng is taught in educational institutions from kindergarten to university level, and is proven to have a positive effect. Among interviewees, 22 students (2 Kindergarten, 4 Elementary, 5 Junior High, 6 Senior High and 5 University students admitted they liked learning angklung. This was confirmed by 9 headmasters/headmistresses and 9 angklung music trainers. Angklung creates employment for craftspersons and teachers. Angklung uses natural materials. Bamboo should be harvested only during the 2 weeks in a year when cicadas sound. Bamboo is cut at least 3 segments above the ground, so the root will continue to propagate. This is conducive to conservation of the environment and sustainable development.
Transmission method Traditional angklung culture is transmitted from one generation to another by children learning from their parents, or by students learningin sanggars or informal arts workshops. Daeng Soetigna, Udjo Ngalagena, Obby Wiramihardja, Hardiman, and other prominent angklung figures learned about angklung informally. After Angklung Padaeng was developed - In 1938, Daeng Soetigna (1908-1984) developed diatonic/.chromatic angklungs which could play all kinds of music and were later known as Angklung Padaeng. This expanded the world of angklung, angklung culture is transmitted through extracurricular activities at all levels of schools and universities. Angklung education retains its oral pattern.
Community The Indonesian Angklung community consists of: angklung craftspersons, angklung trainers, angklung musicians, school and university administrators, teachers and students, and government officials whose service is related to angklung. The angklung community is spread especially in West Java and Banten Provinces, and also in the provinces of Central Java, DI Yogyakarta, East Java, Bali, Eastern Lesser Sunda Islands(NTT), Western Lesser Sunda Islands (NTB), DKI Jakarta, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam, North Sumatra, South Sumatra, Riau and Riau Islands (14 Provinces).
Type of UNESCO List Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Incribed year in UNESCO List 2010

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