Aluambek

Audio 5.1: Audio Example 1 in Chapter 5 of book: Margaret Kartomi, ‘Musical Journeys in Sumatra’, Champaign-Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2012 “Indang” is a group sitting song-dance genre which is popular in West Sumatra’s Minangkabau region. The genre has an Islamic flavour because verses can incorporate many secular and occasionally Muslim texts. At the very least, Muslim phrases or words always occur at the start and close of sections. “Aluambek” is one of the pieces performed by “Indang” ensembles and our example, recorded in January 1972, is a short compilation of excerpts extracted from the performance, which was presented by a group of male vocalists sitting cross-legged with their shoulders touching. They sang as a chorus in response to some of the solo vocals by lead singer (“tukang dikia”), Bp Nazaruddin, sitting separately behind them. Bp Nazaruddin also presented extended solo verses. The group, in choreographed movement, used intermittent body percussion (including clapping) and frame drums (“rapa’i”) as rhythmic accompaniment to the singing. Duration: 4 min.

Copyright 1972. Margaret J. Kartomi.