Music of Indonesia, Vol. 18: Sulawesi -- Festivals, Funerals, Work

by MUSIC OF INDONESIA 18 / VARIOUS

Overview

Smithsonian Folkways' Music of Indonesia Vol. 18 - Sulawesi: Festivals, Funerals, Work shows some careful selection on the part of the Music of Indonesia series editors. Another collection (Volume 15 of the Music of Indonesia series) had already been issued on the music of South Sulawesi, yet many more musical styles were left to be explored. This volume of the series was supposed to represent each of the four major regions of Sulawesi, but the recording team ran out of time and was unable to make any recordings of Southeast Sulawesi. The focus then is on Central, North, and South Sulawesi. Because of the overwhelming influence of pop and missionary music styles on regional music in this area, Folkways decided to limit this volume to more the traditional music of indigenous festivals, funerals, and work. There is still quite a lot of interesting material here, regardless. The first two tracks feature a Pakarena ensemble playing the final two segments of a dance that would typically be featured at a wedding or other celebration. The music is an ecstatic drum ensemble which displays increasingly passionate playing. While the drummers are playing, the dancers are supposed to remain almost motionless and serene, symbolizing either the women who ignore the attention-grabbing of men, or the pious who keep their focus among the distractions of the world. Also featured are funeral songs from an ascetic sect called the Kajang, featuring a beautiful blending of flute and voice. Equally interesting, but of an entirely different character is another type of dance, the Raego, which is featured on track 6 of this CD. The Raego that was supposed to have been included on the CD was one appropriate for a celebration, however, a mother and child had just died nearby and in the interest of appeasing their spirits, a funeral version was chosen instead. Because it is a dance featuring mixed groups of men and women, Raego had been the target of missionaries who claimed it was immoral; the colonial government had tried to limit its performance because they declared it a decadent waste of time. By the mid-'90s, however, more sinister outside cultural influences had displaced the concern about village dances, so it was no longer opposed. This song is quite beautiful and mournful, and features the rhythmic round-singing of the male and female dancers. The collection is closed with "Ma'owei Kamberu," a harvest song which was performed by an award-winning Indonesian folk group, Maengket Pisok Lengkoan, which has been performing for over 40 years and draws its members from a variety of ethnic groups in North Sulawesi. It provides a triumphant end to this fine collection. ~ Stacia Proefrock

Product Details

Release Date:	10/19/1999
Label:	SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS
UPC:	0093074044520

Tracks

1. Jangang Lea'-Lea' (Pt. 3)
2. Jangang Lea'-Lea'
3. Rikong
4. Tempa Sorong
5. Simbong
6. Raego'
7. Toki Hajat Perkawinan
8. Toki Hajat
9. Esa Na Wia-Wia Mokaria
10. Tanumo
11. Sei Si Maka Leso Ekaria
12. Ivehe
13. Ma'owei Kamberu

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Semuel Lumintang   Vocals
Neli   Vocals
Abdul Muin Daeng Mile   Director
P.L. Mokodongan   Gong
Tana "Kado'" Kakula   Vocals
Andri Wonok   Vocals
Bado Daeng Nanjeng   Shawm
Alfons Wongkar   Vocals
Margo Karinda   Vocals
Deppauta   Vocals
Arruan Lola'   Vocals
S.I. Mokoginta   Drums
Tina "Nona" Bu'   Vocals
Demmangngambo'   Vocals
Bawo Gasper   Vocals
Theodosius Landi   Vocals
Tina "Tamaa" Dince   Vocals
Elsye Mawey   Vocals
I Salla   Vocals
I.A. Dilapang   Gong,Director
Tana "Emi" Eli   Vocals
Jacobus Kandow   Vocals
Demm' Limboh   Vocals
Butje Lumanaw   Vocals
Dekron Malonda   Vocals
Tau Langi'   Vocals
M.L. Mokodongan   Drums
Tina "Tilia'" Hase   Vocals
Maryam Daeng Bau   Vocals
M.E. Mokoginta   Gong
Johny Lumintang   Vocals
Vence Kalele   Vocals
Langi' Kampun   Vocals
Miske Karinda   Vocals
Jenny Karinda   Vocals
Novi Wongkar   Vocals
Hengky Karinda   Vocals
Hamsina Daeng Ga'ga   Vocals
Albert Koyongian   Vocals
Tina "Nehe'" Harun   Vocals
Tana "Lionard" Joni   Vocals
Matius   Vocals
Masrita Daeng Bunga   Vocals
Deppatombon   Vocals
Demmabili'   Vocals
Hilarius Koyongian   Vocals

Technical Credits

Aton Rustandi Mulyana   Photography,Assistant Engineer,Research
A. Gamajaya Dg. Liwang   Research
Semuel Assa   Coordination
Mary Monseur   Production Coordination
Carla Borden   Editorial Assistant
Asep Nata   Research,Photography,Assistant Engineer
Pete Reiniger   Sound Supervision
Philip Yampolsky   Engineer,Research,Liner Notes
Anthony Seeger   Production Supervisor
Paul Blakemore   Mastering
D.A. Sonneborn   Production Supervisor
Hanefi   Research,Photography,Assistant Engineer
A. Halilintar Lathief   Research