Annisa S. Febrina, The Jakarta Post | Fri, 10/09/2009 1:55 PM
Wayang? Check. Kris? Check. Batik? Check. So what could be the next priority for Indonesia to propose to UNESCO as an item of world intangible cultural heritage in need of safeguarding?
With Indonesia's highly diverse ethnic group, hyperbolically, the list could stretch from Sabang to Merauke. But, for the time being, West Java's Sundanese angklung is on its way to the representative list of world intangible cultural heritage.
Preparations have taken place to launch the traditional bamboo musical instrument onto the world stage, following its predecessors.
"This is the quickest preparation we have done so far," said Gaura Mancacaritadipura, the man behind the successful batik proposal who again headed the preparation team for Indonesia's nomination to UNESCO.
They had only a few weeks to prepare and submit their proposal to UNESCO by Aug. 31.
Why the traditional pentatonic musical instrument?
"It's filled with philosophical value, as well as sociocultural aspects," said Satria Yanuar Angganasastra, operational director of Saung Mang Udjo. "If this *art of angklung music* dies, then many would likely be affected, most of whom are people currently dedicating their lives to its preservation."
Saung Mang Udjo is currently the country's largest angklung producer, supplying an annual average of 20,000 sets of the musical instruments locally as well as globally. There are around 200 angklung craft centers spread across Java, mostly in the western part where the instrument originated.
Historically, angklung has been in the Sundanese vocabulary since the 6th century. However, the first written record of the angklung's existence appeared in an 11th century inscription in an ancient monument in West Java's Sukabumi.
It was first used as an instrument during planting and harvesting ceremonies but then also became a medium for the spread of Islamic teachings between the 15th and 19th centuries.
In the modern days, Daeng Soetigna has become the household name in the development of angklung. He helped transform the pentatonic instrument into one using a diatonic chromatic tone scale and simplified its shape and use.
"It's a bit of a challenge to nominate angklung as it is something that has been transformed into an art that basically anyone can play or make," said Iman Sucipto Umar from the Kadin Foundation.
But perhaps this egalitarian value is one that could be highlighted.
In playing the instrument, there is no single star or maestro. It's basically an orchestra where each musician is responsible for a note and plays according to the conductor's directing fingers.
The result? A harmonious composition of various notes coming from the sound of thumping bamboo rods.
Following Daeng, Udjo Ngalagena, founder of Saung Angklung Mang Udjo, developed a new style of pentatonic traditional angklung and a new tone scale for the instrument.
"Its soothing effect has been used as a therapy for people suffering from cancer or those living with HIV," Satria explained. "Our next aim is to carry out research on any further potential health effects the music has."
Despite the angklung being a nationally acclaimed item of cultural heritage, the spread of the art seems to have stopped at a mere instruction letter for schools to make it a compulsory subject, Satria explained.
And as with other traditional customs, the nation's youths are more interested and supported in learning piano, guitar and drums, he added.
Perhaps it needs more than just putting angklung on a globally recognized list to preserve the art. Or, as Iman Sucipto's put it, "being on the UNESCO list should not be the aim. What comes after that is more important."
- JP/Anissa S. Febrina
