The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) calls Indonesia a superpower in the field of culture. The recognition of Indonesia’s cultural charm was delivered by Francesco Bandarin, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO in the field of culture, on the sidelines of attending the 39th UNESCO General Assembly.
The nickname emerged considering the high wealth of Indonesia in the field of art and culture. One of Indonesia’s cultural heritages that has gone global and some have been recorded in UNESCO is Indonesia’s traditional musical instruments.
Traditional Indonesian musical instruments refer to musical instruments that have lived and developed for generations in certain regions. The presence of traditional musical instruments is also evidence of the high treasure of Indonesian thought and culture.
In general, in indigenous communities, there are three functions of traditional musical instruments. First, traditional musical instruments function as a means of traditional ceremonies carried out for generations. Secondly, as background music for local art performances or ballet. Finally, traditional musical instruments become a means of communication, expression and creation of the local culture.
Interestingly, Indonesia has a variety of traditional musical instruments that are unique and cannot be found in other countries. So that in 2015 there were at least 34 traditional Indonesian musical instruments. These traditional musical instruments are spread in various regions from Sabang to Merauke.
Now some traditional musical instruments have even been recognized internationally. Here are five “endemic” Indonesian musical instruments that have gone global.
Tifa Originating from Eastern Indonesia, precisely the Papua and Maluku regions, tifa is a traditional Indonesian musical instrument that has a tube-like shape and is played by beating. Tifa is divided into several types, namely jekir, potong, dasar, and bass. Generally, tifa is used during traditional ceremonies, musical performances, and accompanying traditional dances.
In shape, there is a slight difference between Maluku tifa and Papuan tifa. In Maluku, the tifa has a tube shape and is not given a handle. While in Papua the center of the tifa is made more curved, and there is a handle in the center of the tifa.
