The Javanesse Culture

Introducing Keroncong - The Indonesian Music Style

2012-10-30T02:30:00.000-07:00

Introducing Keroncong - The history of this kind of music is as long as Indonesian history. Its can track by the first time of Portugese People who first came to Indonesia.

The History of Keroncong

The development of art music began when the Portuguese keroncong into Indonesia. A type of tool called a Portuguese Fado music has nothing to do with Keroncong. Keroncong originally played by the slaves along with Portuguese soldiers. Keroncong originally called Moresco. Moresco is music to the accompaniment of violin, ukulele and cello. The music is accompanied by a stringed instrument music. When we refer to the Betawi culture, we also find Keroncong monument. The monument also meruapakan Keroncong one of the popular art than Tanjidor Betawi.

Gamelan Keroncong, Javanese Cultural Music

The combination of the gamelan keroncong and give color to the culture keroncong.Employed the flute as a component of a gamelan orchestra and cello improvisation increasingly beautify keroncong. Without the development and improvement, a musical art will not be able to survive.

The Keroncong Instrument

Effort to develop a music keroncong also performed with other music devices such as inserting gongs, drums, kenong, saron, bamboo flute and fiddle. Ukulele and bass rhythm music is a tool that provides background music to create an atmosphere typical kerongcong. While the guitar and the cello is used as a guide chord. Melody played by the violin.

The Feel of Ukulele

Divided into two: Ukulele ukulele and ukulele down cak. Ukulele ukulele or choke is a type of three-stringed guitar. Nylon strings are used manifold. Caj for Ukulele, steel stringed digukan is as much as 4 pieces of string. Cuk ukulele tone sequence in the G-B-E. As for the Ukulele Cak, the tone used is AD-Fis and B. Other music instrument used was a violin. Violin in case it is used to change his fiddle while the use is to replace Flute Bamboo Flute. When at a performance opportunity Keroncong, ternyara no ukulele, then keroncong musicians can use an acoustic guitar. Has disebutan above that Gong is also needed in music Keroncong, contra bass, but can also be used.

Gesang - The Keroncong Master

Keroncong Groups This Time

Citizens turned out to be instrumental in the development of music Keroncong. Keroncong competitions are often held by television in East Java and Central Java. This race turned out not to be missed by Keroncong groups. It was evident at the time of its ongoing festivals such as Festival Keroncong Keroncong Central Java. In the area of Surabaya and Malang, East Java, there is a group calling itself the "Society of Artists and Musicians Keroncong Order Indonesia" is abbreviated Pamori. Pamori get positive support from UB Educational Institutions such as Malang.

To develop the traditional music need to intervene support of various parties including government, academia, professional and business people and music lovers. All parties must work together to preserve the national cultural heritage so it can continue to be heard directly by future generations not only through the music CD recording or in digital file form.

Introducing Angklung - Indonesian's Music Instrument

2012-10-28T02:00:00.000-07:00

Introducing Angklung - Indonesia is a country rich with different cultures. Music is one part of the culture that gives color to the culture itself. Indonesia one of the popular musical instrument is angklung. Not only in Indonesia, Angklung also popular in other Asian countries. Various parties began to have attention to Angklung music instrument. The obligation to preserve the cultural heritage of the angklung music seemed to be a care house calls. This proved to be a lot of parties have been giving a course to play angklung. The Indonesian government also implicitly confirmed that Indonesia Angklung is owned by the State does not belong to any other country, although that intersect the island with Indonesia. Angklung music heritage should be preserved by all citizens of Indonesia. to foster a sense of having the knowledge of the Angklung must be given as a cultural discourse.

Sundanese Angklung, The Origin

Angklung from Indonesia

Angklung is a promiscuous nation Indonesia. Sundanese Angklung played long ago.Angklung is made of bamboo that make noise or tone loss resulting from the impact of bamboo when shaken. Angklung is often used by ethnic groups are Sundanese Angklung pentatonic with five tones traditional. Angklung is Pelog, salendro and Madenda. tones in question are: da, mi, na, ti, la, da.

Angklung Pandaeng, Indonesian Angklung

Angklung Padaeng is the creator of diatonic. In 1937, he created the diatonic-chromatic Angklung which has seven tones. So with this type of diatonic Angkung often referred to as Angklung Padaeng. Angklung Padaeng finally have a standard tone as other international instruments. Before you start playing Angklung, one must understand the technique holds the Angklung. How to hold Angklung is to use his left hand and right-handed mengoyangkan Angklung. The left hand should hold the horizontal side of Tengan Angklung. Can palms facing up or down. Angklung must be parallel to the body and is not too close to grow. Now Angklung be shaken and tones.

The Sound And How To Play Angklung

To be perfectly sound a tone angklung, angklung must be shaken with the right hand from left to right. In these circumstances Angklung should remain straight. Hraus vibrational frequencies can be maintained so berbuyi tone perfectly. Angklung should be played with sustainable techniques. Continuous two-tone technique is played in sequence and played much longer than it should. This technique makes a track appear consecutively.
Angklung can be played with soft and loud expression depends songs played. That led to hard or soft a tone is the vibration frequency stability Angklung per second and the distance difference the right hand is used to mengoyang Angklung. In other words Angklung is the cause of the vibration amplitude of the soft and loud dynamics Angklung.

Introducing Tanjidor - Batavian Music Culture

2012-02-16T00:30:00.000-08:00

Introducing Tanjidor - One of the tribes who live in Jakarta is betawi tribe. Betawi word comes from the word "Batavia" which is the former name of Jakarta. Betawi tribe was born in 1923 beginning with the establishment Perkoempoelan Kaoem Betawi. This is known because during the colonial era, including the Dutch who diligently conducting a census, but by then the existence of Interest Betawi still not listed in the census. Interest actually turned out to previously existing Betawi, but not yet organized.

Ondel Ondel Betawi

The Existing of Perkumpulan Betawi

So with his existing Perkoempoelan Kaoem Betawi, recognized the existence of Interest Betawi start. Since then the Arts Orchestra Tanjidor began to expand along with the existence Perkoempoelan Kaoem Betawi. Betawi tribe is a mix of various ethnic groups such as Javanese, Sundanese, Malay, Sumbawa, Ambon and Chinese. The combination is evident in the dielectric and a wide range of arts Betawi Betawi. Betawi arts such as Gambang Kromong, Tambourine, and Tanjidor Keroncong monument. Kromo xylophone is a musical art that is still linked to Chinese tradition while Rebana related to Arab art music. This attachment is shown in the form of music and tone of the instrument by instrument kelurkan the music. Portuguese art is set for the Keroncong monument.

Tanjidor Trumphet

The History of Tanjidor

Tanjidor is One of Indonesia's cultural wealth is owned exclusively ethnic Betawi people are still shades of the Netherlands. But there is also the argument that Portugal Art is the background for the emergence of Tanjidor.Namun if we question when in fact this Tanjidor Art born? So the answer is at the time of colonization Belanda.Ternyata Art Tanjidor born before slavery was abolished in the late 18th century. Tanjidor originally played by Dutch slaves. When the Dutch came to power, its officials have houses scattered around Batavia. So the slaves also was assigned there. In his spare time, slaves were often playing a music in a group.

Tanjidor Orchestra

Tanjidor is the art of music played by a group of people. It is often called Tanjidor Orchestra. Tanjidor orchestra evolved since the 19th century after the rise in Perkoempolan Kaoen Betawi.

Tanjidor consists of piston, trombone, tenor, clarinet, bass, and drums. Piston, tombon, tenor, and bass clarinet is a wind instrument, the alar sendangkan drum percussion. When we went to Jakarta, her special interest in a residential area Betawi, we will find the Betawi wedding ceremony accompanied by the Orchestra Tanjidor.

Tanjidor Performing

Tanjdor orchestra frequently played folk songs such as barley. In addition to marriage, some events are generally dimeriahan by Orchestra Tanjidor is circumcision, public events such as Indonesia and kemerekaan commemorate the new year both AD and Lunar. In the event Orchestra tanjidor generally around while playing music that is often called ngamen.Ngamen done by walking barefoot.

Introducing to Gamelan - About Indonesia

2012-02-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

Gamelan Jawa

Indonesia is the largest archipelago country in the world with 17.708 islands. In the islands scattered 237 million people in Indonesia so that Indonesia became the fourth most populous country in the world. Various ethnic, cultural, language and confidence to grow and develop in Indonesia. Although there is a diversity of languages, all the tribes united by national language, Indonesian. Each region has a music and traditions of each. Gamelan music is one of the most popular and admired by an international citizen.

Gamelan Bali

Gamelan is divided into three types:

Javanese Gamelan
Balinese gamelan
Sundanese gamelan.

Each type was developed in the respective maisng. Gamelan music is often used as an accompaniment to the traditional art puppet, puppet people and various ritual.
In traditional citizen of Java, Javanese Gamelan is also used in the ritual "manten meeting", a ritual to bring together both the bride and groom.
In Bali, Balinese Gamelan is used in Balinese ritual ceremonies such as "Cut Teeth", a ceremony that marks a child has entered adolescence. It is because of the widespread use of the gamelan in the various arts. Gamelan is often combined with poetry and dance.In the Javanese mythology, the gamelan was created by God who became man menjelmah, Shivam Malholtra in Saka era 167. His kingdom stand on mountains Maendra, which is now known as Mount Lwu. At that time, it requires the signal to get in touch with the other Gods.
Gong then be made. To signal a more complex message, then he needs two other gongs and the kempul siyem, which was later formed Gamelan.
The word "gamelan" comes from the word "gamel" which means to hit. Then defined as a group Gamelan music instrument that is played in an integrated manner within a group.The majority of the group Gamelan music instrument played by means beaten.

Gamelan Sunda

Some tools in the gamelan music that is not being hit is sounded by flute, fiddle and zither. Flute sounded by blowing while the fiddle and zither sounded by the quotation. Gamelan consists of many musical instruments, such as, kempul, Gong, Siyem, Bonang, Flute, Kempyang, kethuk, Kenong, Sarong, Slenthem, zither, drums, fiddle, Gender, Gambang.There are two tuning system for the Slendro and Pelog Gamelan. A music instrument in the group generally have 2 pieces of music means that one in Selendro Based on the tuning and the other based on Pelog.In traditional belief, Gamelan is considered sacred and is believed to have supernatural powers. any instrument which is believed to have the spirit of the gamelan, the seriap gamelan musicians must play barefoot because it would disturb the spirits. Skip Gamelan music instrument is strictly forbidden. In the Javanese belief, Gong Ageng believed to be the center of the spirit of the gamelan.

Sundanesse Gamelan - About Java and Indonesia

2012-02-09T07:57:00.000-08:00

Indonesia, beautiful country stretching from Sabang to Merauke. Aceh to Papua. A population of over 237 million people in over 17 thousand islands. Art tradition then born into the community's identity and expressed his supporters. One of them, the art of traditional music. Unique game in terms of technique, the presentation also organologi instrument. Like, gamelan, arumba, drums, kolintang, Tifa, talempong, tambourine, drum, jimbe, etc.. Let's learn our cultural treasures. Before (and should not be) claimed another country.

Starting from the gamelan, metal instrument that comes from Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, West Java and Bali. A set of gamelan usually consists; saron, demung, gongs, kenong, slenthem, bonang, etc., are pentatonic. Similar Degung Gangsa in Central Java, Bali or Goong Gong in Banten. Sama2 gamelan.

Originally the word gamelan.

Degung originally the name of the form 6 waditra small gong that hangs on kakanco (smart / rack). Bende severally or jenglong gayor. Gamelan Degung barreled Degung first, then added tone insertion into another barrel (barrel Madenda / Nyorog or barrel Mandalungan / Kobongan / Mataraman). Degung is also the name of the barrel section salendro. Gamelan tunings of gamelan dwiswara (mashed): (mi) 2 - (la) 5 and degung triswara: 1 (da), 3 (na) and 4 (ti). The word "gamelan" is estimated to come from the word "ngadeg" (standing) and "glorious" (grand) or "pangagung" (marvelous, nobility). Degung, art that elevates the dignity of royalty.

E. Sutisna, nayaga Degung Parahyangan, linking the word "gamelan" because the gamelan is used to only be owned by the pangagung (regent). The term "gamelan" appeared in 1879 in a dictionary arrangement HJ Oosting. The word 'De gong "(gamelan, Dutch language) they will be in the dictionary means" penclon-penclon who hanged ". Gamelan sound of gong at the palace Kasepuhan and gamelan gamelan at the Museum of King Geusan Pangasih Ulun (Soil), including most antiques. Heritage Kusumadinata Prince (Prince Kornel), regent Sumedang (years 1791-1828).

Bandung's most lots degungnya.

Gamelan Salendro, pelog and Degung growing in West Java. Gamelan Salendro used to accompany wayang, dance, kliningan, jaipongan, etc.. Art Sundanese gamelan music using the device barreled gamelan gamelan (generally barreled pelog), consisting of saron, panerus, bonang, jengglong, gongs, drums, goong, and flute. Starting from karawitan gising, gamelan continues to grow from era to era.

Late 18th century, gamelan began to grow. Jaap Kunst in his book "Toonkunst van Java" (1934) noted: degung in Bandung (5 devices), Soil (3 devices), Cianjur (1 device), Ciamis (1 device), Kasepuhan (1 device), Kanoman (1 devices), Darmaraja (1 device), Banjar (1 device) and Singaparna (1 device). Sundanese people of the kingdom Galuh (located in the upstream river) affect the sound of gong art, such as heard in songs Manintin, Galatik Manggut, bullfrog Buluk and Sang Bango. Habits lively side dish Sundanese gamelan lacks a growing recourse to the gamelan gamelan.

Women are so nayaga gamelan. Degung any public consumption.

Rahmat Sukmasaputra pioneered the sound of gong with nayaga women. According to Enoch Atmadibrata, degung women also spearheaded a member Damas (Student Resources Sunda) around the year 1957, under the care of Sukanda Artadinata (daughter-Oyo). In 1958, performances degung form sekar gising, given rumpaka Ageung songs, melodic songs and bonang aligned except for high and low tones that could not be reached sekar. Creation in sekar, dance, puppet making degung today. Gamelan Gamelan are considered to represent the uniqueness of West Java. Judging from the form and intervals, which is now developing gamelan gamelan, gamelan-oriented string.

In the past, gamelan gamelan in gendingan beat (instrumental). Regent of Cianjur, RT Wiranatakusumah V (1912-1920) prohibits degung with the singing because the atmosphere became less solemn. Once appointed a regent of Bandung (1920), he brought the gamelan gamelan from pavilion to pavilion Bandung Cianjur, following the leadership of Idi nayaga. Gamelan Gamelan merchant named Pamagersari this stunning New Market Bandung Palembang descent, named Anang Thayib. He is interested in using it in a celebration event and apply for permission at the regent while his friend. Since then, the gamelan is used for public events.

Nano S and then enter in degungnya Kacapi waditra elements, making the intro and the arrangements themselves. Degungnya songs like Panglayungan (1977), Puspita (1978), Naon Lepatna (1980), Tamperan Kaheman (1981), Anjeun (1984) and Kalangkang, who sung Syahyana Nining Meida and Barman (1986) success in the market. Kalangkang more popular songs sung again after Nining Meida and Adang Cengos in Sundanese pop style, circa 1987. In the early days (1950s), singer gamelan gamelan come from the singer salendro pelog (pasinden, ronggeng). Since the 1970s, the singers sound of gong mostly from among mamaos (Sundanese song Cianjuran), such as Euis Komariah, Ida Widawati, Teti Afienti, Mamah Dasimah, Barman Syahyana, Didier S. Badjuri, Yus Wiradiredja, Tati Saleh.

Degung in the style of pop Sunda. Bule also like gamelan.

This Caucasian, really better at playing the gamelan from me? Yes, deh, I mastered the knowledge of Indonesian gamelan and other traditional arts. In order to break even. Shame, ya, if she loses out. (Photo: findallvideo)

Degung Songs include: Palwa, Palsiun, Bima Mobos (Sancang), Sang Bango, Kinteul Bueuk, Pajajaran, Catrik, Lalayaran, Jipang Lontang, Sangkuratu, Coral Ulun, Karangmantri, Ladrak, Edge of the Sea, Manintin, Beber Display, Kadewan , Padayungan. New gamelan songs that worked with rerenggongan patterns among them: a vague, Flower Ligar, Ondangan Letter, Hariring Bandung, Tepang Asih, Kalangkang, Rumaos, Span Kuring.

Abroad, the gamelan was developed by college of art and a few musicians, such as neighborhood Heritage Art Sunda University of California (Santa Cruz, USA), musician Lou Harrison (U.S.), and Rachel Swindell with other students in London (England), Paraguna ( Japan), and Evergreen, John Sidal (Canada). In Melbourne, Australia, there are sets of gamelan gamelan owned by the University of Melbourne which is often used in Sundanese music-loving community for training and staging of the festival.

Indonesia is rich in traditional music. You like gamelan? Continue to maintain and preserve, yes ..

Source: http://tinyurl.com/3jw3n2s

The Making of Batik - About Java and Indonesia

2011-04-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

1. Nganji

Nganji process - from Handbook of Indonesian Batik. Before being labeled, usually mori washed first with water until the starch is lost original and clean, then the kanji again. Motif batik should be coated with a starch with a certain thickness, if too thick will attach less good night and if too thin then the result tonight will be "mblobor" which will be difficult to remove.

With the highest quality Mori [Primisima] does not need to be starched again, because the thickness of the kanji already qualified.

2. Ngemplong

Usually just a smooth mori need dikemplong before dibatik. Mori blue for direct printed batik can usually be done without the preparatory work. The purpose of ngemplong is for mori become slippery and loose. For this purpose mori put on a chip of wood and pounded regularly by wood bat as well.

Mori will be easier so the results are better.

Ngemplong process - from Handbook of Indonesian Batik

3. Nglowong - Attachment malam[candles] first

Done kemplong, mori is ready to work. Batik fabrication technique consists of the main job, starting from the main job, starting with nglowong is tasting or batik motifs above mori using the canting. Nglowong on the cloth is also called ngengreng and after it continued with nerusi on the other side.

Nglowong process with cap

Nglowong process with canting

4. Nembok - sticking the second malam

Before dipped into dye, the desired part remains white, should be closed by night. Layers tonight proverbial wall to hold substances do not seep gets perwarna for the closed night. Therefore, this work is called a brick, if there is seepage due tembokannya less powerful then the white should be visible colored line 2 which will reduce the beauty of batik. That is why the night the wall must be strong and resilient, others by night klowong that actually should not be too resilient to be easily scraped.

Nembok

5. Medel - first the dye Dyeing

Medel goal is to give a dark blue color as base color fabric. Relic of this work takes several days for using indigo dye [Javanese language: tom].This dye is very slow to absorb the cloth so it must be done over and over again, now with modern color material can be done quickly.

6. Ngerok - eliminate malam from klowong process

The part that will be in soga for brown, scraped with Cawuk [sort of a blunt knife is made of zinc] to get rid of his night.

7. Mbironi - use of malam into three

The next job adalam Mbironi, which consists of closure with wax cloth parts that remain are expected to blue, while the part that will be in soga remain open. Mbironi job is done on two sides of the fabric.

8. Nyoga

Nyoga is a time consuming process, because the dye into soga. If using natural soga, was not just one or two times only, should be repeated. Each time immersion al fresco had dried. By using synthetic soga then this process can be shortened only half an hour. The term is taken from the word menyoga certain tree which the tree produces skin color soga [brown] when immersed in water.

9. Nglorod

After obtaining the desired color, the fabric had undergone a process again that night which still lag mori should be eliminated, the way to put into boiling water, called Nglorod.

10. Nyoga - second Dipping

Nglorod, Eliminated Candles

Living Resources Javanese Gamelan

2011-04-10T11:26:00.000-07:00

For most people, listening to Java gendhing not simply enjoy the gentle strains of harmonization of rhythms generated from a set of gamelan and gamelan-barreled slendro only. But also reveal the Javanese philosophy of life of harmony between physical and spiritual life, or harmony in speaking and acting.
Apparently, this also inspired Suwito Hadiprayitno in life as. gamelan craftsmen. Slowly and not kemrungsung. As the soft strains of gamelan sounds to play. The principle of life is firmly entrenched in the hearts and minds of artisans as well as the mastermind who was familiarly called Mbah Wito this.
"Human life is like a puppet who resigned acting anything by the masterminds of the Gusti A1lah," he said in Kabare.

According to him, he always semeleh undergo any tidal gamelan handicraft business. When the great earthquake struck Bantul tlatah end of May 2007 ago, homes were destroyed as well as its place at work without rest. As a result, he must be willing to run the business under plastic sheeting which is also a place of shelter their families after the earthquake. After all, he always believed that if God wills damage, surely He would be correct. In fact, precisely ordered items flowing.
"Many friends mastermind and government agencies that lose gamelan because the house was crushed by rubble by the quake. With capital assistance saws, Passover, and the chisel of the Cultural Office of Bantul Regency, I slowly began to rise again starting my business, "said the craftsman who get STIE SBI Business Solutions Award from Indonesia (SBI) and Exxon Mobil as small and medium entrepreneurs who The most rapid rise up and restore its economy effort after earthquake of 2007.
At home with small pendapa that looks simple, Mbah Wito put some of his work is half finished or are still in early stages of processing. Some stick-shaped wooden board nangka.yang've also seen menumpukdi west side of the room.
That morning, Mbah a daily Wito assisted by children and four employees were in the midst melaras tones of a xylophone. Slow down, cleaned and lined hit ironwood located over ranca'an xylophone carefully until you hear a distinctive rhythmic xylophone. Not far from its place, the old carpenter who had middle memasah ranca'an timber to be used or where the gamelan.
"At this time I was assisted by four employees. A carpenter, a carver of the original people of Jepara, one of the finishing section, and another one pelaras tone. While the design ranca'an or gamelan my own place, "he explained.
On average, a set of gamelan slendro pelog completed for a month. A set of gamelan slendro pelog is a complete set of gamelan consist of kendhan bonang, bonang successor, demung, saron, peking, kenong and kethuk, slenthem, gender, gong, xylophone, fiddle, siter, and flute. In addition to serving a full gamelan orders, Mbah Wito also serve the order in the form of a part of it. Like a gong or kendhang only.
After all that, the husband of this Astuti Widji always obedient customer desires. If anyone who wants fast, it will be done as soon as possible. Although not rare many have not in a hurry and more relax in order to wait for the results of gamelan.
However whether the applicant wishes, Mbah Wito always serious in completing his work. One of them in sync tone. Given the Javanese gamelan is a musical instrument that produces a tone pentatonic composition typical Java soft tone to play. Very different from Balinese gamelan attractive and expressive. Sundanese gamelan or a mendayu because the game flute.
Spirit of Javanese gamelan is used to turn the inspiration and enthusiasm for the pioneering efforts of gamelan in the early 1980s ago. At that time, with the capital money of Rp 500,000, champion Wito looking for a set of Javanese gamelan to train children around the house playing the gamelan. Not unexpectedly, gamelan actually liked people and was purchased for $ 1 million until he had to find again. Time is waiting orders this gamelan, Mbah Wito so know the process of making ranca'an gamelan and decided to set up their own business. His first was the mastermind misuwur Buyers of Bantul, Ki Timbul Hadiprayitno.
Since then, people started to like the gamelan design and ordering. Both agencies or personal. Not only from the cities or outside of Java in Java alone. But also from abroad. One is Gustavo Yudhaningrat that are often asked for ranca'an gamelan or crate a place to store puppets.
To satisfy customers and generate a nice gamelan, Mbah Wito always use quality materials. Special wood, crafters ever dipupu by the mastermind of origin Village Packaging, Wirokerten, Bantul use jackfruit wood, as if struck, his voice echo. Especially to make saron, kendhang, and puppet box. The older age of the wood, the better the quality of the output.
As a craftsman, father of two sons is just making ranca'an or the gamelan and merangkainya only. As for the bronze, brass, and iron, Mbah Wito working with local artisans Bekonang, Solo.
Given the manufacturing process that requires special and a relatively long time, fair price when the gamelan with tens and even hundreds of millions of dollars according to the material. A set of gamelan bronze example is priced Rp 300 million. While the brass around Rp 200 million. Which is fairly cheap iron Rp.30 million.
After all that, slowing down the country's current economic conditions coupled with rising fuel prices that triggered the increase in cost of production to make orders go sluggish blood and quiet. Not busy as always flooded with orders from various regions in Indonesia and abroad. In fact, during the New Order era and that many officials had ordered him gamelan. As Harmoko and Sudwikatmono.
"This is like her grief into gamelan craftsmen. Once crowded now kosok balene. After all that happened today, Gusti Allah is Oft Asih because there are still orders from Malaysia, "he said. Despite flagging, Mbah Wito spirit to turn the business gamelan likewise not retroactive. While filling the void ordered items, now Mbah Wito also make wooden cabinets. To be sure, this 58-year-old man was determined to cultivate the business that has been ingrained this until the end of life.
If you are interested to have their own gamelan bring it home, you just come into place in Kedhaton Wito Mbah, Pleret, Bantul. Only a half hour drive from Yogyakarta, you will get to the house and where his efforts to rengeng-rengeng, gamelan also will beautify your home turn.

History of Indonesian Batik

2011-04-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

One of cultural product which is considered a work of genius is a local batik.When the experts talk about batik, it means Indonesia or, more specifically, Java. The famous designer from the West did not hesitate to pick up inspiration from batik.Emilio Pucci, the Italian designer who astonish the world in the 1960s with a striking design motif, taking into one of batik cloth and clothing design (Pucci, A Renaissance in Fashion, 1991). The designer is now a world more like Giorgio Armani, Kenzo and Paul Smith has long been impressed by the Indonesian batik and woven fabric.People of humanity is also a former South African President, Nelson Mandela, always berkemeja made batik Indonesia in every occasion, including state occasions.

As a decorating technique, batik not only in Indonesia. Establish where the origins of batik are also possibly be in vain. Iwan Tirta mention, batik evolved simultaneously in different parts of the world. However, the world recognizes that the Javanese batik is the most delicate because it has a decorative pattern of the richest, most developed coloring techniques, and technically the most perfect creation than batik from other regions.Batik is just one technique of decorating fabric that grown in Indonesia. Indonesia familiar with other techniques ie before threads are woven like a bunch of techniques.These techniques are often combined so as to produce wealth techniques to create extraordinary decoration. They are now entering the industry such as batik and fabric Iwan Tirta, Josephine Komara of Bin House or Baron Manansang of Weaving Baron, similarly said, batik, tie, jumputan and weaving techniques such as songket and striated, giving an almost unlimited opportunities in producing decoration and in the future these techniques could always meet the demands of the times.

Although initially only one of batik techniques to create ornaments, but in the development of batik became very prominent compared with other techniques to create decoration.There are several reasons why more developed batik in Java. Iwan Tirta mentioned, one important reason is the batik cloth to be an alternative to woven fabrics such as belts or any other that requires a longer time in the making and is unable to meet the needs. This happens especially when the fabric meets the need for religious ceremonies.Batik as decoration and began imitating decoration formed by weaving techniques.The most obvious example is the imitation motive patola, which is a kind of double ikat cloth from Gujarat, India. The resulting bundle motif refinement patola quickly drew the interest of royal nobility Java (Central). However, the scarcity of supply, making batik artisans quickly imitate patola motif. Thus was born the motive nitik and jlamprang in Pekalongan.Other evidence cited Iwan Tirta is in areas where developing weaving, batik does not develop. Batik then also began to imitate the decorative embroidery from mainland China mainly for altar cloths and decorate the walls because of batik can repeat motifs are faster.

Other reasons why batik survive and thrive is because batik get protection (patronage) of the palace in the past, the government of the Republic of Indonesia after birth, and an elite group of society when society increasingly dominant role.Batik-Batik batik artisans produced the best to the king in part because it is a manifestation of the artist's devotion to the Creator.Head of State is the patron when Indonesia was independent. Star Sudibjo deceased was one of batik artisans who have a place when President Sukarno ruled. Iwan Tirta then get a place when the late Mrs. Tien Soeharto humah heard of a man is not bloody understand Javanese batik. Now President Wahid is also more frequent Adurrahman wearing batik shirts in a variety show.In addition, batik still have a place among the elite of Indonesia although a Western-style dress into everyday wear. Iwan Tirta in the 1980's to introduce batik with gold leaf, and come to give color to the development of batik. Houses fabric Bin House back to excite against batik and batik cloth back into fashion. Among the younger designers of age, began to seriously pursue Carmanita batik and participate give their own color. Various batik design competition and apply it to everyday wear, held various nongovernmental organizations contributed to the persistence of batik till today.

BEFORE batik as it is now known to exist, which is a technique used to decorate with color hold a candle tonight, in Indonesia has been known for "batik" with a simpler technique. Cain simbut in Banten, and fabric ma'a from Toraja, South Sulawesi, using techniques also hold color. As a drag on the fabric color simbut used the crushed rice and sticky rice mixed with sugar water. Cain then dipped into the liquid dye made from plants. Then the rice sticky rice scraped and covered the rice sticky rice remained white like the original color of the fabric.Ma'a was first done in an isolated mountainous area, so there is a suspicion, as mentioned Iwan Tirta, Indonesia has the embryo of batik from within its own territory.One example of batik cloth is still produced and become examples of the evolution of intermediaries to shape the current batik is batik cloth-striated Tuban in East Java and some Jambi batik cloth. The shape of the dots that form a geometric pattern or plaid.Rens Heringa anthropologist who has studied Javanese batik for over 25 years in Batik from the North Coast of Java (1997) among others mention, simple motifs on simbut cloth, batik-striated Tuban or Jambi batik cloth, were also found in a variety of objects made in South Asia and Southeast Asia.

The same design is also found in batik are drawn using bamboo sticks called laran, made ethnic minorities in southwest China, and ethnic minorities in the mountains of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar.Use of the night (candle) to distinguish batik is now known of the early forms of batik.Tonight provides an opportunity to produce a variety of motifs of batik in Java so that developed into the shape it is today.Techniques to create decorative cloth with color resist technique is estimated to already exist in the Islands archipelago since prehistoric times, although no example of fabric that remains today except the fabric of the 19th century. One of them is the fabric simbut contained in the National Museum.There are not many records about the development of batik technique (holding color) start to become rich Javanese batik techniques detailed and complex decoration.

One reason for the Javanese batik is women's work, and therefore not worth written down since the writing is the domain of men.Heringa said, although evidence of written or physical evidence of the development of batik in the early days have not been found today, but most early myths about batik already exist in about 700 AD Myth says about prince from the east coast near Surabaya Jenggala named Ox Amiluhur. Bride Amiluhur Ox, a nobleman's daughter from Coromandel, India and her ladies who are Hindu, teaches weaving, batik, and dye fabric to the people of Java. This myth survived until the son of Ox, Raden Panji Ima Kerta Pati, became king.Written records of new batik emerged hundreds of years later, in 1518, from Galuh region in the northwest of Java, in pre-Islamic.Both the myth and the first written records about batik, both located in coastal or northern coast of Java and before the entry of Islam. These areas have tremendous influences from India, China, and Persia through trade. Color resist techniques using wax (night) which may be imported from the Coromandel and Persian, has more in common visually with traditional cloth Coast, especially in the size and format.However, artisans in Java, and then develop their own fabric to match their needs so that then the techniques used in the Coromandel is only decoration is made only on one side is very different from the Javanese batik in detail, so not exactly Javanese batik originated from India. The same thing applies to the fabric of Persian kalamkari using block-printing process to get the ornament.

China also contributed to the Javanese batik at least since the time of Sultan Agung, who became the first Muslim king in Mataram (1613-1645). Sultan Agung mentioned using batik bird huk which in Chinese mythology brings good luck blessing. This story opens up the possibility of the role of Chinese immigrants in the 19th century on the coast in the spread of Islam. Alternatively, immigrants from southern China contributed to the development of batik. Women from ethnic minorities in the south and southeast China decorate their cotton fabric with color using wax resist techniques used in Java from the Ming Empire to present.Dutch colonialists began to pay attention to the batik in the 19th century. The experts at that time to make judgments about batik distorted by stating that originally centered batik from Yogyakarta and Surakarta Kingdom new spread to women artisans in the villages that make batik for commercial purposes.Rens Heringa reject that view, saying the possibility of new batik technique into the hinterland of Java after the middle of the 17th century when the Sultanate of Mataram develop and adopt a culture of Coastal. When Kertasura became the capital of the kingdom, colors and patterns change gradually becomes softer style palaces of Central Java. Batik-batik from Yogyakarta Palace and especially Surakarta and motifs derived from both, then regarded as the pinnacle work of batik and batik from another area then considered not as beautiful batik two areas that, for a very long time.So far, all made using batik canting with different size and shape refinement. Staining using a natural dye, and batik is more of a seasonal job for the family.Batik began to develop as a commercial commodity when in the late 18th-century fabric of Indian exports have fallen because of competition from European print fabric.

Batik from Coastal began to replace the fabric of Indian and Peranakan Chinese traders was instrumental in the production of and trade in batik.Peranakan traders who trade over a white cotton cloth and other materials batik maker, has a network of up to remote villages and they also lend money. They often give advance payments to encourage the production of batik by the women in the countryside. In the mid-19th century women's Indo-European and Indo-Arab coming in as a batik entrepreneur. During this period the women in the villages of Java, was working outside their villages to earn wages as batik, especially when the harvest was not successful family.Pekalongan in 1850 by collector Harmen C. Veldhuisen Batik (Batik Netherlands, Dutch Influence in Batik from Java History and Stories, 1993), has evolved as an important center of batik. In the batik industry and the division of labor occurs: the man in charge of preparing the white and colored cotton cloth, while women batik motifs determined by the buyer or copying ready-made batik wear tonight.Since the beginning of the start of commercial production of batik, batik needs can never be fulfilled. Therefore, in the early 19th century, formed a market for imitating batik cloth with print techniques imported from Europe.This fact and encourage batik traders developed a technique to speed up the production process. They then conduct various experiments, among others, using sweet potato as a stamp. Finally found stamp made of copper wire blocks that make up one block motif. However, since the stamp was making requires a lot of manpower, production of cloth should be large enough to make it economical.Veldhuisen mention one stamp can make about 200 gloves.

Because making batik is a job for men, women forced to only be able to work to make batik.World War I brought destruction to the batik industry. White cotton imports from the Netherlands disrupted, batik price rises, and to earn money as much as possible, the batik produce as much as possible. The result is flooding the market and prices fell, while the limited supply of fabric. After World War I, the Dutch East Indies re-import the cloth in 1918 but printed batik industry improved only a moment since then affected by depression. Only those who are serving a group of elite like batik Peranakan who could survive. This causes a lot of batik lose their jobs, and then batik imported from other regions using rail when the wages of local batik became too expensive.

BATIK is a major clothing to describe a person's social position, especially during the reign of the kingdom and Dutch colonial rule. Parang motif is damaged, for example, may only be worn by the king in Yogyakarta and Surakarta. The motive, according to myth has been saved from the danger of Raden Panji and Sultan Agung also use this motif.Batik is considered to have meaning associated with birth, marriage, and death.Javanese people who died for example, the base where he lay before going to the grave covered seven of batik cloth, batik is also used to cover the body. Brides sidamukti cloth as a symbol of blessing.Iwan Tirta who calls himself as the guardian of traditional values batik, batik look at the future of fashion will survive as a complement to modern (Western) women in Indonesia in the form of cloth scarf (shawl) or scarf, as a batik shirt, or as a decor element. Long batik cloth in the form of kebaya worn together will only be used at certain times only.The more melunturnya-sacred elements of tradition in everyday life humans Indonesia, had an impact on the disappearance of the meaning of batik. That will develop later is really batik as decoration.Batik is a resist technique night wear any color will likely increasingly rare, especially batik. The process that takes time, especially if you want to get the batik with many colors, make batik become increasingly expensive. Batik write with such beauty in the 19th century and early 20th century, probably just a collection of objects.On the other hand, the growth of textile industry in Indonesia is also threatening the existence of batik in the sense that they reproduce without using the batik technique but using a technique of batik print. Lay people may be fooled by the "batik" like this batik cloth could be "cheap".

One of the Javanese batik making is different from other local batik is isen-isen which became the main motive background that the outline is divided into geometric patterns and motifs nongeometris. While batik is victorious, isen-isen which can be the point, and tendrils or lines, filling the entire background of the fabric, something that is very rarely done anymore because it takes a long time in the process. Batik, as a technique to make ornaments, perhaps eventually will belong to a few people only.

Ninuk Mardiana Pambudy Kompas journalist.

Gamelan - The Spirit of Java

2011-04-07T11:18:00.000-07:00

Gamelan is surely not a foreign music. Its popularity has penetrated every continent and has created a new blend of jazz-gamelan music, gave birth to the institution as a learning space and the expression of gamelan music, to produce famous gamelan musicians. Gamelan music instrument can now be enjoyed in many parts of the world, but Yogyakarta is the most appropriate place to enjoy gamelan it since you can enjoy the original version.

Gamelan is The Spirit of Java

Gamelan developing in Yogyakarta is Javanese gamelan, a form of gamelan is different from Balinese gamelan or Sundanese gamelan. Javanese gamelan has a softer tone and slow, in contrast to the dynamic Balinese gamelan and Sundanese gamelan highly dominated lilting voice and flute. The difference is reasonable, since Java has a view of life that is expressed in the rhythm of gamelan music.

Javanese philosophy of life expressed in gamelan music is the harmony of physical and spiritual life, harmony in speaking and acting so as not to create an explosive expression and create tolerance among fellow. Real form of music is the pull string fiddle that is, a balanced blend of sound kenong, saron drums and xylophone and gong sounds on every cover of rhythm.

History of Gamelan

There is no definite history of gamelan. The development is expected since the emergence of gamelan music gong, fiddle, clapping to the mouth, the friction on a thin rope or bamboo to familiar musical instruments from metal. Further development after named gamelan, the music was used to accompany wayang performance, and dance. Later it became independent as the music itself and equipped with the voice of sinden.

A set of gamelan consist of several instruments, including a set of similar musical instrument drum called a drum, fiddle and zither, xylophone, gongs and bamboo flutes. The main components that make up the gamelan music instruments are bamboo, metal, and wood. Each instrument has its own function in gamelan music show, for example gong music played to close a long and give the balance after the previous music rhythm decorated by gising.

The Component of Gamelan

Kendang (Drum), is a leader instrumen. Pengendang is the conductor of thegamelan music. There are 5 drum size of 20 cm - 45 cm.
Saron, percussion instruments of bronze with wood refuted. There are 3 kinds ofSaron; Barung Saron, Saron Peking, Saron demung.
Bonang Barung, equipment consists of 2 rows of bronze is played with 2 tools at.
Gambang (Xylophone), wooden slab placed on wooden frames.
Gender, almost the same as slentem with more bronze plate.
Gong slendro and pelog, each set comes with 3 gongs. Two major Gong (GongAgeng) and one gong suwukan about 90 cm, made of bronze, Gong signal the end ofthe song lyrics long.
Kempul, small gong, to indicate which parts rhythmic songs short. Each set slendro andpelog consists of 6 or 10 kempul.
Siter, each set slendro and pelog require 1 siter.
Ketug, also called small kenong, indicating a pause between songs.
Kenong, something like a small gong above placemat, a set can complete a good set of 10 kenong slendro or pelog.
Slentem, bronze plate were placed on bamboo for resonance.
Seruling (flute), each set slendro and pelog require a flute.
Clempung, string instruments, each set slendro and pelog require one clempung.

The Java Island - Home of Culture and Harmony

2011-04-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

The area of Java is very vast covering central and east Java island. In ancient time Mataram kingdom which are now the the special district of Yogyakarta and Solo in Central Java were the center of their culture. In 1755 the kingdom was splited into 2, one is the Sultanate of Yogyakarta, and one other is Kasunanan of Surakarta ( both are Islamic kingdoms ).

The Java Island of Indonesia

Javanese speak complex dialect which introduces social status. In general the dialect is divided into two levels that are "Ngoko" dialect which is spoken among known partners, and "Krama" dialect which is spoken among those who are not known each other and for those whose social status is considered higher. Both Ngoko and Krama have more further variations, when it was spoken for palace member, higher status level, or more senior people, or for lower level, etc.

Java Island the Most Populated Island of Indonesia

Java land is the most densely populated in Indonesia. Many big cities are still developing such as Yogyakarta, Semarang, Solo, Surabaya, Blitar, and Malang. While dozens of medium to small cities still heavy with population. So the welfare of the people is still a tremendous big works. Still a large part of the population working on the land cultivating rice, cassava ( marlihot utilissima Phl), corn (zea mays L), yam (ipomea batatas poir ), Kacang ( vigna sinencis), gude (cjamis cajan), soya ( glycine soya Bth ), bean (arachis hypogen L), etc.

Some people work in government offices, private companies, trades and especially near the beaches as fishermen. Personal ownership of land in Java is the same as other areas in Indonesia. The ownership is transferred down from generation to generation, divided among the heirs. That is why in Java most family has a small land for farming.

The Culture of Javanese Island of Indonesia

Kinship system in Java is almost the same as in Bali, that is forbidden to marry between brother and sister, nephew, and children among brothers and sisters, and marry older woman. There are many ways a man and a woman come to their marriage status. First the family of the man come to the family of the woman to request their daughter, and this is the normal procedure. Second is when a man after dedicated himself to the parent of the woman, than is given as a present to marry their daughter. Third is the present from royal family. Fourth is the family of the woman come to the family of man to request. Fifth is when a marriage is arranged by both parents, in this case the marriage will be an imperative and forced by both parents. This way is become very rare and might be disappear in the future. Divorce in some reasons is accepted due to the absence of child, inability of husband to give welfare to the wife, and other reasonable causes.

In Javanese society there is class considered high status such as "bandara-bandara" consist of royal family lineage, and the "priyayi" the government workers and learnt persons. In contrast to above 2 groups is a class called "wong cilik" means small people, those are the common people which is mostly poor. Based on religious characteristics there are "Santri" and "Kejawen" Santri is Moslem that is very obedience with Islamic rules, while Kejawen is Moslem but they are not praying nor have the idea to go for a haj to Mecca.

The Civilization and Religion Java Island of Indonesia

Organizationally, the smaller unit of administration is called Desa or Kelurahan with head called "Lurah" Once again the understanding of Desa in Java contains much different affairs compared those a Desa in Bali. A Desa in Java is an administrative area as a bridge between Indonesian government with local organization.

Islam has been is the majority religion in Java, not question about that as at every corner of the land we can see mosques. Not all Javanese practice religious rituals according to the Islamic doctrines. As already mentioned there are "Kejawen", and also many people are Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, and others. The Moslem-Kejawen believe that there is an omni-power incomparable wherever and whenever it does.. This supreme power is called "Kesakten" Below kesakten there are ancestor's spirits, good and evil spirits which can affect human life. In conjunction with this power and spirits they make an offering and a feast for the blessing ceremony. Those rituals such as:

Life circle rites including many ritual after death. Basically there are ritual from Pregnancy - Birth - Life - Death - After Death.

Various ritual for the Desa, Rice field, and Land cultivation,

Various ritual for the Moslem holidays,

Ritual for special event such as opening new house, diseases, long journey etc.

During the ritual they make an offering and is dedicated to supreme power and the lower invisible beings. Even, after death they have ceremonies after 3, 7, 40, 100, and 1000 days.

In their ritualistic tradition it is very clear that influence of Hindu is still very strong observing from the names they use, and some specific beliefs which arises such as:

(1) a belief of good and evil spirits,

(2) a belief mixed between Moslem and Hindu,

(3) a belief showing Hindu characters,

(4) a belief in mystic.

They are all in search of human welfare.

Various tourism interests are spreaded over Java from western tip to eastern tip of the island. Lately the security concern is arises due to the economic crisis of the country which is not last yet.