Second Day of STEKOM University Cultural Exchange Part 1.2 (Indonesian Tradition by Joseflim)

The many diversity of traditions that exist in Indonesia to be recommended to tourists as a reason to provide representatives from other Indonesia to explain more about other Indonesian traditions and cultures. This time the explanation was given by Joseflim who is also a student of STEKOM University majoring in informatics engineering. Slightly different from the previous presenters, Joseflim's explanation of Indonesia is more about pop culture and its comparison with traditional culture.


The first explanation about Indonesian music from Joseflim whose leadership is very interesting is about dangdut music. Dangdut is one of the traditional Indonesian popular music genres which in particular has elements of Hindustani (North Indian), Malay, and Arabic music. Dangdut is characterized by the booming of tabla (Indian percussion instrument) and drums. Dangdut is also heavily influenced by traditional Indian and Bollywood music songs.


Initially dangdut music was known as the "Malay orchestra". Then, dangdut was influenced by Indian music through the Bollywood film performed by Ellya Khadam with the song "Indian Doll", thus appearing as Dangdut in 1968 with the main character Rhoma Irama. In the evolution towards contemporary musical forms, there are now influences from Indian musical elements (mainly from the use of tabla) and Arabic (on twists and harmonization). Changes in Indonesian political currents in the late 1960s opened up the influx of strong western music influences with the inclusion of the use of electric guitars as well as forms of marketing. Since the 1970s dangdut can be said to have matured in a contemporary form. As popular music, dangdut is very open to the influence of other forms of music, ranging from keroncong, style, gamelan, gambus, rock, reggae, pop, and even electronic dance music (house, etc.). "Spiritual dangdut" can be considered as a special lyrical direction (for example, the album Haji by Rhoma Irama).

Indian influence is also very strong in this dangdut music genre, but from the style of harmony and instruments, it is also popularized with classical Indian-themed dangdut songs sung by popular dangdut singers such as Rhoma Irama with his song titled Terajana, Mansyur S. his song, Khana, Ellya Khadam with the song Indian Doll and Via Vallen with a song called Sayang, made dangdut music even more popular today.


Dangdut has actually become folk music in Indonesia and surpassed other genres of music in popularity: people like to sing their songs with karaoke, both for themselves and during family events, employees in central government offices do gymnastics with the music before start work, and so on. Besides Indonesia, dangdut which is quite popular also in Malaysia, there are a number of names of dangdut from Indonesia.


Next, Joseflim explained about Indonesian pop music. What is meant by Indonesian pop music is broadly defined as a genre of pop music that exists in Indonesia, but in a broader sense it can also include Indonesian pop culture which also includes Indonesian films and soap operas. Indonesian pop music develops very unique and varied, both influenced by international culture, especially from western music culture, as well as those influenced by traditional music culture.


Next, Joseflim explained about the very varied folk songs in Indonesia. Regional songs are music that has been in the community for generations and is maintained as a means of entertainment or religious activities. The role of the regional anthem is similar to the national anthem, but its status is only regional and is written as an anthem of a region. Regional songs usually have lyrics according to their respective regional languages, such as tondok kadadingku from South Sulawesi and Rasa Sayange from Maluku.


This folk song or regional music usually appears and is sung or played in certain traditions in each region, for example when lulling children, children's games, folk entertainment, folk parties, people's struggles, and so on. . Regional songs usually refer to a song that has a special rhythm for a region. There are folk songs that have become popular throughout the country as a result of radio and television broadcasts.


Next, Joseflim explained about keroncong music. Keroncong is a type of Indonesian music that uses strings, flutes, and vocals. The root of keroncong comes from a type of Portuguese music known as fado which was introduced by the sailors and slaves of the nation's merchant ships since the 16th century to the archipelago. From mainland India (Goa) this music was first entered in Malacca and then played by slaves from the Moluccas. Weakening of the influence of Portugis in the 17th century in the archipelago does not necessarily mean the loss of this music. An early form of this music was called moresco (a dance originating in Spain, such as the slightly slower rhythmic polka), in which one of Kusbini's recast songs is now known as Kr. Muritsku, accompanied by stringed instruments. The keroncong music originating from the monument is called the keroncong Tugu. In its development, a number of traditional elements of the archipelago, such as the use of flutes and some gamelan components, have been introduced. Around the 19th century this mixed form of music was already popular in many places in the archipelago, even to the Malay Peninsula. This golden age continued until around the 1960s, and then faded due to the entry of a wave of popular music (rock music that developed since 1950, and the success of the Beatles music group and the like since 1961 until now). Nevertheless, keroncong music is still played and enjoyed by various levels of society in Indonesia and Malaysia until now.


Joseflim's explanation continued about kasidah music. Kasidah (qasidah, qasida) is a form of Arabic literary epic poetry that is sung. Kasidah is a sound art that breathes Islam with its songs containing many elements of Islamic da'wah and good advice according to Islamic teachings.