Tortor Mandailing

For male and female participants. A very old and stately communal dance tradition of the Mandailing ethnic group where a given series of ceremonial dances (tortor) is performed and led by clan elders. In this image, Tortor Mandailing is performed by men and women (as opposed to segregated dancing) because the type of accompaniment - "Gondang Mandailing" pieces - requires young men and women to dance together. A gondang ensemble comprises a pair of small double-headed hand drums (gondang), a gong chime set (momongan), a shawm (serunai) and cymbals (talisasayap). (For more information, see Margaret J Kartomi, "Dualism in Unity: The Ceremonial Music of the Mandailing Raja Tradition", Asian Music XII/2 (1981), pp. 74-108.)

Copyright 1978. Notes prepared by Bronia Kornhauser with Margaret Kartomi, School of Music-Conservatorium, Monash University. Photography by Hidris Kartomi.