KESENIAN INI HAMPIR PUNAH! - SAMRAH & REBANA BIANG | Jakarta’s Music Diary - Eps 3

Summary

The video follows Eka Gustiwana's journey to rediscover and appreciate Indonesian cultural heritage through music. He explores traditional Betawi arts, including the Samrah music, which has deep religious and cultural significance. The documentary highlights the struggles of traditional musicians to sustain their craft amidst modern pressures. Eka visits various art centers in Jakarta, including Sanggar Samrah and Sanggar Banabee, learning about the challenges and rich traditions of Betawi music. The video emphasizes the importance of preserving these art forms for future generations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Eka Gustiwana is on a journey to rediscover and celebrate Indonesian cultural heritage through music.
• 😀 The exploration begins with Betawi art, which has deep religious significance and is rooted in Jakarta's cultural landscape.
• 😀 Samrah, an important part of Betawi culture, was historically used in religious ceremonies like Maulid and circumcisions.
• 😀 Samrah music was traditionally slow and soft, but has evolved with time, incorporating modern instruments like the piano.
• 😀 While some musicians adapt to changes, others struggle to sustain their art due to economic challenges in the modern world.
• 😀 The livelihood of traditional musicians is often uncertain, with some finding it hard to make ends meet.
• 😀 The younger generation is not always inclined to pursue traditional arts, due to a lack of financial incentive and recognition.
• 😀 The documentary also explores the rebana biang, a form of music that includes both prayer and dance, originating from Banten.
• 😀 Rebana biang was introduced to Ciganjur by a religious figure named Fatwa Zainal in the early 1800s, and has since been passed down generations.
• 😀 Haji Abdurrahman, a fourth-generation musician, is dedicated to preserving this art form and teaching it to the next generation.
• 😀 Preserving traditional arts is a shared responsibility for the community, not just the descendants of artists, to ensure cultural heritage is passed down.

Q & A

What motivated Eka Gustiwana to create music that reflects Indonesian culture?

Eka Gustiwana was motivated by a sense of longing and restlessness to reconnect with and learn more about Indonesian culture, particularly through music and traditional instruments from his homeland.

What is Samrah Betawi, and where did it originate?

Samrah Betawi is a traditional music genre from Betawi, originating in the coastal region of Betawi, which has roots in Malay culture. It involves using the Betawi language to narrate stories about Betawi villages and has spiritual and religious themes.

How has the Samrah Betawi music evolved over time?

Samrah Betawi has evolved by incorporating modern instruments, such as the piano, which was not part of the traditional Samrah music. Despite these changes, the music still maintains its characteristic slow, soft tempo.

What role did Samrah music play in Betawi society historically?

Historically, Samrah music played a significant role in religious and cultural ceremonies in Betawi, such as celebrating Maulid (birthdays of prophets), circumcisions, and other important community events.

Why is Samrah music not widely recognized today?

Samrah music is not widely recognized today due to low demand and minimal appreciation from the younger generation, who often perceive other jobs or music genres as more promising and lucrative.

What challenges do traditional musicians, like those performing Samrah, face in earning a living?

Traditional musicians, including those performing Samrah, face challenges in sustaining their livelihoods due to the lack of financial support for their art. Many struggle to make ends meet, and the work is often undervalued compared to modern music genres.

What is the significance of the rebana, and where is it practiced?

The rebana is a traditional drum instrument used in religious and cultural ceremonies in Indonesia. It is significant in Betawi culture, and there are still few places, like Ciganjur, where it is practiced and passed down through generations.

Who is Haji Abdurrahman, and what is his connection to the rebana?

Haji Abdurrahman is a traditional musician and a fourth-generation descendant of the rebana biang, a type of traditional drum from Banten. He continues to teach and preserve the rebana's legacy in Ciganjur.

How does the rebana music relate to spiritual practices in the Betawi community?

Rebana music is often performed as part of spiritual practices, including prayers and dances, with the intention of giving thanks to the almighty and invoking blessings. It is deeply intertwined with the religious and cultural life of the Betawi community.

What is the role of the younger generation in preserving traditional arts like rebana and Samrah?

The younger generation plays a crucial role in preserving traditional arts by learning and passing down knowledge to future generations. It is not solely the responsibility of the descendants of artists but of the community as a whole to ensure these traditions are not lost.