Talempong Duduak (1982)

Audio 3.5: Audio Example 5 in Chapter 3 of book: Margaret Kartomi, ‘Musical Journeys in Sumatra’, Champaign-Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2012 Drum and brass gong-chime (“talempong”) ritual ensembles are an important musical component of the Minangkabau cultural tradition in West Sumatra. At rituals such as circumcisions or at government ceremonies, the ensemble plays while seated (“duduak”) cross-legged or kneeling on the floor, and it is therefore called a “Talempong Duduak”. Because musicians are stationary in “Talempong Duduak” performances, their interlocking patterns are more intricate than those achieved in the processional “Talempong Pacik” ensembles. The excerpt presented here is based on a selection of four rhythmic patterns played by a “Talempong Duduak” ensemble led by Ibu Nasrul and recorded in October 1982. The third pattern in the excerpt is the popular “Tak Tontong” (or ‘Tak Tuntuang”), of which there are several musical variants. The onomatopoeic title imitates the sound of the interacting “talempong” and drums. Duration: 3 min. 50 sec.

Copyright 1982. Margaret J. Kartomi.