Desa: Amahusu
Kecamatan: Nusaniwe
Kota Madya: Duti II Ambon
Propinsi: Malaku
Indonesia
Recording date: 4th January, 1987.
Amahusu is a Catholic village within the boundaries of Ambon city. The group is unusual in that it consists mostly of drums which are medium to large in size and have a single skin. They can be hit by one or two sticks according to need. The names of the drums are Tifa, Tipa and Tiva. Leading the ensemble is a large gong chime instrument, similar to a Javanese bonang which is played to lead the ensemble. Its tuning is diatonic. This instrument is called a totobuang. It is often accompanied by vocals or suling (flute) or both as it was in other examples I recorded.
This video contains an instrumental with the totobuang and the tifa, tiva and tipa drums. The piece is called Tif Totobuang and they described it as “Instrumentalia”. It is unusual in that all the players stand during the performance and the totobuang is built up off the ground so it can also be played standing. This is most unusual. Most gong chimes are played sitting. Most Indonesian drums are also performed on the ground (with the exception of perambulating ensembles).
Note: When I asked if they could play a piece with just the drums the answer was negative.
I recorded five pieces in this session which was conducted under huge shady trees on the beach. They were:
Pukul Tipa Totobuang
Jangan pindar dari beta. (don’t change from me)
Mari pulang taman (its OK to go home now my friend)
Instrumentalia: Tif Totobuang
Dendang berdendang
Common dances in the Amahusu area include Tari Gaba-gaba; Olopei; and Danser Tali.
21 сен 2024
