Gambus Melayu and gendang

For male participants. Malay short-necked lute (gambus Melayu) and double-headed drum (gendang): musicians are playing these instruments to accompany the zapin dance. The zapin dance (tari zapin) was probably introduced to Malay culture around the early fifteenth century by Arab traders and missionaries during the spread of Islam in the region. In time, tari zapin integrated local features and became known as zapin Melayu. Musical accompaniment is usually gambus and drums such as the gendang, marwas (a set of 4 hand-drums) and rapa'i (frame drum) but can also include accordion and/or violin.

Copyright 1981. Notes prepared by Bronia Kornhauser with Margaret Kartomi, School of Music-Conservatorium, Monash University. Photography by Hidris Kartomi.