History of Drum

As a child, my family moved from one city to another. There's always the same in the cities dwell, the drum sounds omen prayers arrived. Now I live in Surabaya. The sound of the drum is rarely heard. Yes, now even the mosque or surau-surau in the corners were often no longer wearing the drum and replace it with a microphone. Will sooner or later we will never again hear the sound of the drum in the Earth Indonesia? Only time will tell. Below is writing on the history and origin of the drum in Indonesia, kusarikan of Essence Magazine, October 2008, with edits without changing the essence.

Bedug always associated with the media call worship. It was thought the drum traditions associated with Chinese culture. The existence Bedug forces associated with Cheng Ho expeditions the 15th century. Admiral Ming imperial envoy Muslim wants drum sound in the mosques, as well as the use of similar tools in Buddhist temples in China. There is also the opinion drums drum originated from Chinese tradition that spread to East Asia, and then entered the archipelago.

But according to Drs M Dwi Cahyono, archaeologists from the State University of Malang who conducted the study with a team of Java drum Sampoerna Hijau, in prehistoric times, our ancestors also knew nekara and moko, a type of bronze drums. Its use is associated with religion for rain.

The word Bedug also alluded to in song Malate, a literary ballad form. Literature songs contain stories banner. Generally written during the Mahapahit, from the period of 14-16 century AD. Described in the Song of Malate, musical instrument drum membrafaon distinguished between large drum called TEG-TEG with regular size drum.

Drum at the time it serves as a means of communication and time markers such as war, natural disasters, or other urgent matter. Also rung to mark the arrival time. Then there is a term in Javanese: wis Wanci keteg. Means "time of day" is taken from the time when tegteg sounded.

Cornelis de Houtman in the account of the journey D'eerste Boek witness the widespread presence of the drum in the 16th century. When the commander of the Dutch expedition arrived in Banten, he describes in each intersection there are drums suspended and tolled using a bat that is placed next to it. Its function as a danger signal and time marker. This testimony clearly refers to the drum.

Nevertheless, the influence of China was not denied. Judging from the construction, installation techniques ropes / pegs to attach the membrane to vibrate drum resonator in Java, similar to the way it used to drum in East Asia such as Japan, China, or Korea. Other evidence seen in the appearance of terracotta statues found at the site Trowulan. Soldier statues Mongoloid face looked beat Tabang-Tabang, a type of drum that is affected Middle Eastern culture. Chances that musical instruments are played the Chinese Muslims in the capital of Majapahit.

Interestingly, Tabang-Tabang actually a musical instrument that has been around since the Hindu-Buddhist. In it there is a strong influence from India and Muslim Semitic culture. However introduced and played by indigenous Chinese Muslim.

Thus, it can be said drum exemplary embodiment waditra acculturation (membrafon musical instruments, where it occurs Physiographic blend waditra membrafon ethnic archipelago with similar wadistra from outside such as India, China, and the Middle East.

Journey drum enters important phase when it later became part of the Muslim places of worship. No one can be sure when and how to start. But if you want connection refers to the record Cornelis de Houtman, can be ascertained from the occurrence after the 16th century. Drum entrance to the mosque to complement existing drums. In several large mosques as mosques heritage Wali Songo, the two devices are found side by side, for example in the Holy Mosque Tower.

When entering into a place of worship, the original drum profane earn a place of honor. In some places such as the Grand Mosque of Surabaya, Ciptarasa Cirebon Mosque, and Grand Bagelen, drum the title of "Kyai or" the ". Another reality, old broken drum also not be removed, but replaced with her new drum.