Music of Indonesia, Vol. 4: Music of Nias & North Sumatra

by INDONESIA 4 / VARIOUS

Overview

This volume samples the music of three ethnic groups, the mostly Muslim Karo and the Christian/animist Toba, both from North Sumatra, and the Ono Niha (or Hoho) of Nias. Sumatra is the world's fourth largest island, and Nias is a much smaller island 90 miles away. This is rare music from remote places where traditional religious beliefs and rituals are still in active conflict with world religions, especially Christianity. The Karo and Toba favor instrumental over vocal music and have large "outdoor" and smaller "indoor" ensembles. In the Karo selections, the double reed sarune warbles over light click and tok percussion, while occasional hits on hanging gongs mark unvarying cycles. One song features a pretty vocal pop melody almost like an English ballad. The Toba selections, which are considerably wilder, make up ten of the volume's 16 tracks and include music from possession rituals that Christians cannot attend. The Toba's all-male gondang ensembles include tuned percussion, drums, flute, string instruments, and clackers, as well as the sarune, which often dominates with its wailing melodies. The rhythms here can really swing at times, and the melodies are alluring and memorable, even when frenetic. The result at its best is downright exhilarating. In addition to the possession music, there are war songs, calmer narrative pieces, and music to accompany the sacrifice of a water buffalo. In sharp contrast, the Ono Hiha of Nias perform choral music with no instruments at all. Sung poetry has a central place in life here, and the male choruses heard on this volume perform music typically sung at multi-day wakes. The chorus leader guides the singers through ritualistic songs which build march-like rhythmic force and feature unusual vocal wavers. The dance piece concluding the Nias selections is marked by strong rhythm and clashing dissonance. ~ Banning Eyre

Product Details

Release Date:	09/14/1993
Label:	SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS
UPC:	0093074042021

Tracks

1. Music of the Karo: Simalungun Rayat
2. Music of the Karo: Gula Tualah
3. Music of the Ono Niha: Hoho Sisambua'a Matona
4. Music of the Ono Niha: Hoho Si T¿¿lu Fanema
5. Music of the Ono Niha: Hoho Ninawuag¿¿
6. Music of the Ono Niha: Hoho Si T¿¿lu Nawua/Hoho Maluaya Si'¿¿lig¿¿
7. Music of the Toba: Gondang Haro-Haro
8. Music of the Toba: Gondang Parsahadatan Tu/Saluhut Sahala Habonaran
9. Music of the Toba: Gondang Malim
10. Music of the Toba: Gondang Si Monang-Monang
11. Music of the Toba: Gondang Panogu-Nogu Horbo Tu Lahatan
12. Music of the Toba: Gondang Arang-Arang Dairi
13. Music of the Toba: Gondang Si Bunga Jambu
14. Music of the Toba: Gondang Parumbak-Umbak Ni Alogo Bolon
15. Music of the Toba: Pinasa Si Dung-Dungon
16. Music of the Toba: Si Tapi Tola

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Jaliton Ambarita   Sarune
Bu'uloeloe Bajaro   Vocals
Osner Gultom   Sarune
Dohugoe Zagoetoe   Vocals
Fanekhe Jaro Zagoetoe   Vocals
Jonitar Manik Ama Ni   Sarune
Kalabius Simbolon   Sarune
Haria Aro   Vocals

Technical Credits

Jabatin Bangun   Research,Assistant Engineer
Asep Nata   Research
Rizaldi Siagian   Photography,Research
Matt Walters   Production Coordination
David Glasser   Mastering
Philip Yampolsky   Liner Notes,Annotation,Research,Engineer,Editing