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Melodic Charms of Hasapi: Exploring the Batak Musical Instrument
Jun
Music is one of the cultural arts that is growing rapidly in Indonesia. The art of music in Indonesia emerged and developed long before the Hindu-Buddhist or any other foreign religions entered the archipelago. Therefore, it may be claimed that the art of music transcends space, time, and cultural boundaries.
Indonesian traditional musical instruments come with a variety of decorations. The presence of traditional musical instruments is undoubtedly significant. There is a noble goal in the process of its formation, which is to become a unifying tool for the nation through art. Alignment with the process of creating a harmonious sound is what distinguishes musical instruments from other objects. Traditional musical instruments are synonymous with certain ethnic groups or community cultures. Many of the traditional musical instruments are created from the inspiration of raw materials found around the environment. For instance, the people of East Nusa Tenggara use lontar leaves to make Sasando, the Tifa musical instrument in Papua with membrane parts are made of animal skins, as well as the Minangkabau people who make the Pupuik Tanduak musical instruments from buffalo horns and Hasapi from the Batak tribe.
Due to the enormous role played by traditional Nusantara musical instruments, TAKALA give a brief overview of the Hasapi musical instrument, which resembles a guitar but has only two strings, as well as how to pluck the strings using animal bones or horns.
Once upon a time, in the North Sumata region of Batak Toba, lived a man called by the name Pamuro who looked after rice fields. Pamuro’s job is to shake the rope fastened to the paddy fields that are prepared for harvesting in order to chase the birds away. When the rope that runs along the rice field area is blown by the wind, it sounds “tring..tring..tring..” This gave Pamuro the idea to create an object that could emit a sound that was similar.
Pamuro started with a huge block of wood that would later be carved out to create a solu (boat). The hole is then covered with a thin piece of wood and two ropes made of bamboo skin are twisted on the cover wood with the intention of producing the same sound as the bird repelling string. Once tightly fastened, the rope is strummed with wooden or animal bone tools, creating a reverberating “tring..tring..tring..” sound that resonates loudly.
Over time, Pamuro contemplated creating a portable musical instrument. As a result, the shape and size of the instrument were transformed. Originally resembling a large wooden block resembling a human body, it was resized to be as small as an adult’s arm. The previous bamboo winding was replaced with twisted ijuk fibers, forming what is now known as “Tali Riman.” This instrument, capable of being carried anywhere, was named the “Hasapi.”
The descendants of Pamuro further developed the Hasapi, incorporating artistic carvings into its design. Some carved the head of the Hasapi to resemble a rooster’s head, while others depicted human figures or horses. The strings, previously made of Tali Riman, were replaced with stronger and more resilient materials such as nylon or metal. Additionally, a tone regulator was crafted at the bottom of the carved Hasapi head, allowing for precise pitch adjustment.
Since ancient times the Hasapi has held a significant role as part of the Gondang Hasapi musical ensemble. The Batak people, particularly the Batak Toba, utilize Gondang Hasapi for ritualistic gatherings, such as attending to individuals experiencing possession, healing the sick, warding off evil spirits, and more. The Gondang Hasapi ensemble consists of the following instruments: Hasapi (Kecapi – Wood & Iron Strings), Sarune Etek (Small Serunai – Wood), Sulim (Flute – Bamboo), Garantung (Gerantung – Wood), and Hesek (Beat – Wood).
Hence, it is imperative to preserve the existence of traditional musical instruments as a testament to Indonesia’s national identity and as a heritage of the ancestral richness of the respective indigenous cultures.
Source:
https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasapi
