"Music of Indonesia, Vol. 18: Sulawesi: Festivals, Funerals and Work" - Various Artists

• artist:
  Various Artists
• featured artist:
  Grups Tabbing Sualia, Mesakada and Basing, Kulintang Ensembles, etc.
• region:
  South East Asia
• release year:
  1999
• style(s):
  • Traditional
  • World
• country:
  Indonesia
• formats:
  • audio file / digital
  • CD (Compact Disc)
  • MC (Music Cassette)
• record submitted by:
  Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
• label:
  Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
• publisher:
  Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
• 
  buy this record

The string music highlighted on this album is only part of the picture in Sulawesi. Here we present a variety of other musical groups, recorded in three of the islands four provinces. The celebrated Makasar genre pakarena features energetic drumming in sharp contrast to the slow, graceful movements of female dancers. Basing is the funeral music of the Kajang, performed by two female singers and two long flutes, or by the flutes alone; Kajang find it deeply sorrowful. Choral singing in very different styles is heard from the Torja, from Uma-speakers of the mountainous Pipikoro region in Central Sulawesi, and in communal work songs of Minahasa. Gong music for Mongondow weddings adds to our sampling of gong ensembles throughout Indonesia. The album closes with maengket from Minahasa, spirited choral singing with drums in celbration of the harvest.

Links

• Music of Indonesia series landing page