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The Meaning of Kelambut Music For The Sentani Tribe, Papua
The Meaning of Kelambut Music For The Sentani Tribe, Papua
第 58 卷 第 4 期 Vol. 58 No. 4
JOURNAL OF SOUTHWEST JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY Aug. 2 0 2 3
2023 年8月
Research article
Social Sciences
嘉兰布 音乐对巴布亚森塔尼部落的意义
I. Wayan Rai S. a, Ni Made Ruastiti a, Gede Yoga Kharisma Pradana b,*, Yunus Wafom c
a
Indonesia Institute of the Arts (ISI)
Jl. Nusa Indah, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, wimbаruspawati@isi-dps.ac.id, mаdеruastiti@isi-dps.аc.id
b
The Institute of Tourism and International Business (IPBI)
Jl. Tari Kecak No. 12, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, yogа@stpbi.аc.id
c
The Tanah Papua Institute of Arts and Indonesia Culture (ISBI Tanah Papua)
Jl. Kampwolker Perumnas 3, Hedam, Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia
This article is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to reveal the meaning of kelambut for the Sentani tribe in Papua.
Kelambut is known as a traditional Papuan musical instrument. Kelambut is known to the people of
Sentani, Papua. However, is the kelambut instrument important for the cultural activities of the Sentani
people? The questions are: 1) What is kelambut?; 2) What does kelambut mean for the Sentani people in
Papua? This research was completed using qualitative methods. Observations, FGDs, and interviews have
been used to collect data on Papua, especially from informants. Literature studies are useful for collecting
secondary data about the Sentani tribe and traditional Papuan musical instruments. All data were analyzed
qualitatively using ethnomusic theory, symbol theory, and reception theory. The results showed: 1) The
kelambut is a traditional Papuan musical instrument shaped like a boat. The sound of kelambut music is
produced by being hit with a mallet made of forest wood. 2) The kelambut is a traditional musical
instrument that is important for the cultural activities of the Sentani tribe because it has esthetic meaning,
historical meaning, communication meaning, environmental meaning, social meaning, and religious
meaning. The novelty of this research is its multi-meaningful positive contribution to the preservation of
traditional art. It can be used as a review to refute the kelambut discourse that this instrument has become
extinct in the culture of the Sentani people. In addition, this finding may inspire other artists to enculturate
the arts.
摘要 这项研究的目的是揭示凯兰布特对于巴布亚仙谷部落的意义。凯兰布特被称为巴布亚传统乐
Rai S. et al. The Meaning of Kelambut Music for the Sentani Tribe, Papua, Vol. 58 No. 4 Aug. 2023
390
关键词: 意义,凯兰布,森塔尼部落,巴布亚
marginalized during the increasing influence of contexts, from everyday addressing and medium-
global civilization and modernization on the distance communications to ceremonial
development of Indonesian society. This crisis occasions. The relationship between singing the
also occurs in the music of kelambut and in the individual's name in Oyda and Yopno and the
culture of the Sentani tribe. It is interesting that meaning of kelambut music for the Sentani in
there has been no research that reveals the Papua lies in the superiority of the sound of
meaning of kelambut music itself. Kelambut is Papuan music. Singing the Individual: Name
known to the Sentani people of Papua. However, tunes in Oyda and Yopno do not discuss
the culture of the Sentani tribe, which uses kelambut, while regarding the meaning of
kelambut musical instruments, is becoming kelambut music for the Sentani tribe, Papua
increasingly rare. The questions are: 1) What is discusses kelambut.
kelambut? and 2) What does kelambut mean for Jeremy Wallach [17] reveals that the Feldian
the Sentani people in Papua? ethnomusicological perspective is a correction to
ethnocentric tendencies and disparagement in the
II. LITERATURE REVIEW study of popular music. Only a culturally
The research on the meaning of kelambut sensitive ethnographic approach can provide
music for the Sentani tribe in Papua is original. It insight into the important role of popular music
has been proven that there are no research results in the various social upheavals of the late 20th and
on kelambut in Sentani culture. Similar research 21st centuries. Rainforest to Raves:
can be summarized as follows: Ethnomusicological Forays into Popular Music
Sroyer et al. [15] say that the shape of the reveal nothing about kelambut. Meanwhile,
roof, which is called rum som, rum sram, and Papua reveals the meaning of kelambut music for
sram mankubui, is rectangular, half-elliptical, and the Sentani tribe. Both of these studies have
trapezoidal. While Tifa's musical instrument problems related to the study of Papuan ethnic
looks like a combination of two tumpeng that are music.
tied together and become one, Regarding the Paul Wolffram states [18] that Buai is a form
meaning of kelambut music for the Sentani tribe, of witchcraft known throughout the island of
Papua has similarities with the exploration of New Guinea in Papua. This socially approved
ethnomusicology and traditional music tools. In form of magical practice is used mostly for
Biak-Papua Culture's section on traditional creative purposes, especially for the performance
Papuan ethnic musical instruments, the difference of musical and dance attractions. The buai were
is that in the meaning of kelambut music for the relied on to perform new songs and dances for
Sentani tribe, Papua reveals the meaning of community celebrations and ritual performances.
traditional Papuan musical instruments, while in Buai practitioners, known as tena buai, are
the Exploration of Ethnomathematics of House revered for their creative powers and sometimes
and Traditional Music Tools Biak-Papua culture feared for their potential to use those powers for
does not reveal the meaning of traditional Papuan destructive purposes. Through a combination of
musical instruments. personal experiences and conversations with the
Amha et al. [16] revealed that music beats Buai tena, this article explores how the Buai tena
spoken language in identifying individuals are perceived by their community. The issue of
uniquely in two different communities. In Papuan culture is explored in Experiencing and
addition to their given names, which conform to Narrating the Spiritual Power of Music and
their language conventions, speakers of the Oyda Dance in the New Guinea Island Region with the
(Omotic; SW Ethiopia) and Yopno (Finisterre- Meaning of Kelambut Music for the Sentani
Huon; NE Papua New Guinea) languages have Tribe, Papua. Buai's "There is Good and Bad
"nada nama," short (1–4 second) melodies that There," Experiencing and Narrating the Spiritual
can be sung or whistled to call or to identify for Power of Music and Dance in the New Guinea
other purposes. Linguistically assigned names are Island Region, does not discuss kelambut, while
frequently not unique for the two communities; the meaning of kelambut music for the Sentani
people may be named after ancestors or tribe in Papua discusses kelambut.
contemporaries or have the same name for Paramma and Kabanga [19] show that there
several individuals. However, for both are six measurable categories, namely cuisine,
communities, name songs are generally social lifestyle, language, music, and marriage of
noncompositional and unique to individuals. This different races, which show that exposure to
means that each new generation will likely create globalization culture makes a positive
thousands of new anthems. In both communities, contribution to the social relations of indigenous
the tone of names is produced in various Papuans with immigrants. The correlation
Rai S. et al. The Meaning of Kelambut Music for the Sentani Tribe, Papua, Vol. 58 No. 4 Aug. 2023
392
between a qualitative study of indigenous Papuan similarity of actors, namely traditional Papuan
people who are exposed to cultural globalization musical instruments. The difference is that Tifa
through their social relations with immigrants From The Land of Papua: Text and Context does
and the meaning of kelambut music for the not examine kelambut, while The Meaning of
Sentani tribe in Papua is in the culture of the Kelambut Music For The Sentani Tribe, Papua,
Papuan people. A Qualitative study of the examines research on kelambut.
indigenous people of Papua exposed to cultural Saidah and Fadilah [8] stated that the
globalization through their social relations with existence of hadrah art in Papua, especially in the
Newcomers does not discuss the Sentani tribe, city of Manokwari, is currently very popular, as
while the meaning of kelambut music for the shown by the many competitions and hadrah
Sentani tribe is discussed in Papua. festivals held, the many sholawat assemblies
I Wayan Rai S. et al. [2] revealed that involving hadrah music as an accompaniment to
kelambut is a traditional musical instrument made the verses of the Prophet's sholawat, and even the
from natural wood in the Sentani area. The shape existence of hadrah as an extracurricular activity
resembles a boat, is played by hitting the inside, in educational institutions. With this research, it
and serves as a means of communication and is hoped that it can increase one's knowledge
musical accompaniment for soldiers. Apart from about the development of Islam in the land of
seeing it as a work of art to balance life with the Papua, one of which is in the field of hadrah art
environment, the Waena tribe also interprets as an Islamic art. In connection with The
kelambut as sacred music that provides Meaning of Kelambut Music for The Sentani
protection, as a link with their ancestors, as a sign Tribe, Papua, there is a similarity in the object of
of tribal chief appointment (Ondoafi), and as a research, namely the art of music in Papua.
cultural identity. Relevance of Kelambut: However, Hardah Spirit as an Islamic Arts in the
Traditional Music of the Waena Tribe Based on Land of Papua does not analyze kelambut, while
the Environment of Sentani, Jayapura Papua with The Meaning of Kelambut Music for the Sentani
the Meaning of Netting Music for the Sentani Tribe, Papua, examines kelambut.
Tribe, Papua lies at a point of comfort regarding Mentasan [11] reveals that forms of cultural
Kelambut. However, Kelambut: Traditional heterogeneity include the existing capitalist
Music Based on the Environment of the Waena economy with various job opportunities,
Ethnic, Sentani, Jayapura, Papua, does not industrialization of fisheries and tourism, massive
examine Sentani art, while the meaning of exploitation of natural resources, control of
Kelambut Music for the Sentani people, Papua, dominant groups such as the Raja Ampat
examines the Sentani ethnic group. bureaucracy, rationalization of values, and
I Wayan Rai S. et al. [3] said that Tifa as a secularism without regional and customary
musical instrument can find spoken language, boundaries. However, this is also a problem
which is inherited in the Papua region. Tifa because the product of modernity mediates the
materials are wood and animal skins, where demands of life to move quickly, precisely,
wood and animals grow in each area. The effectively, and efficiently. The relevance of
ornaments on Tifa, the costumes of the players, Cultural Heterogenization in Raja Ampat
and the paintings of the popular Tifa players, are Traditional Society (Case Study on Modernity
the people's livelihood. Tifa seems to be a symbol Power in Waisai Regency of Raja Ampat, West
of identity and pride for the Papuan people. In Papua) with The Meaning of Kelambut Music for
addition, Tifa is also a symbol of unity, local The Sentani Tribe, Papua lies in traditional
wisdom and harmony, as seen in the reliefs of cultural activities in Papuan society. However,
Pura Agung Surya Bhuvana, Jayapura. For Cultural Heterogenization in Raja Ampat
ceremonial purposes, Tifa can only be played by Traditional Society (Case Study on Modernity
men. A player must understand Tifa's basic Power in Waisai Regency of Raja Ampat, West
pattern and improvization well because they Papua) does not analyze kelambut, whereas The
relate to singing and dancing movements. Tifa is Meaning of Kelambut Music for the Sentani
a means of connecting with God, ancestors, and Tribe, Papua, analyzes kelambut.
other natural forces. As a means of cultural Siahaya et al. [6] said that emotional
expression, as an accompaniment to dance, intelligence has a significant effect on music
whether discussing customs, new creations, or learning achievement, which is equal to 60.1%.
contemporary dance. The relationship between In addition, learning motivation significantly
Tifa From The Land of Papua: Text and Context mediates the effect of emotional intelligence on
and The Meaning of Kelambut Music For The music-learning achievement by 95.1%. The art of
Sentani Tribe, Papua, can be seen in the music is a lesson in school that helps one
393
members of the Sentani tribe to immediately traditional house, called para-para, serves to
gather at the location of the traditional ceremony, emphasize their cultural identity. The
fostering togetherness, and giving participants achievement of reception of the representation of
warnings about the readiness of the traditional symbols can be used to understand the meaning
ceremony. of identity [39].
2) Historical Meaning 3) Communicative Meaning
The Sentani people view the kelambut as their The manifestation of the symbol can be
cultural heritage because it has historical perceived existentially because it is used in a
significance. Their various noble traditional domain [40]. The Sentani is a tribe that use
cultural activities have long involved the sound kelambut in the Mamta region. Kelambut is a
of kelambut music. Kelambut has become a means for members of the Sentani tribe in the
functional art instrument for establishing and Mamta region to establish communicative
maintaining cross-generational relationships relations with Ondoafi in a cultural context. In
within the Sentani tribe. As a form, a symbol can the Sentani cultural tradition, kelambut is often
have a certain value because the elements of the used as a means of communication between
symbol are perceived in a certain realm [36]. residents. As a result, the Sentani tribe's
For the sake of long-term social unity, traditional events held in the Mamta region
structuring in the community is oriented toward seldom lack the sound of kelambut music.
ordering and harmonizing functional-structural Meaning can be an indication of a potential
relationships [37]. Based on the existence of function or realm of practice [41]. Kelambut is a
cultural motifs on kelambut in Sentani culture, it musical instrument that contains the meaning of
shows that they have tried to live in harmony communication. According to tradition, the tribal
with the natural environment where they live for chief Ondoafi will use kelambut to summon the
a long time. This is backed up by the doctrine of populace to a location where he will announce
the ancestors, which says that kelambut must be important information. Through the sound of
used for the good of their noble culture as the kelambut with certain rhythm, people
sacralization of the new Sentani tribal chief's immediately know it because it has been
appointment. systematized in their culture. Notification signs
The existence of kelambut has become such as gatherings, dangers related to forest fires
evidence that can strengthen the cultural identity and tribal wars, appointing tribal chiefs, dance
of their tribe throughout the historical period of accompaniment, and opening ceremonial events
the Indonesian nation. The melodies of kelambut are examples of kelambut that are useful for the
music can represent the culture of the Sentani Sentani tribe, according to the context.
tribe in Papua. As the function of culture cannot A social ethos, according to its context, is
be separated from the manifestation of cultural crystallized in the form of culture [42]. As a
values in the relationship between social communication medium, the message behind the
practices and the environment and their song and the sound of kelambut music are
instruments [38], according to Levinus Pilemon classified as difficult to understand if one is not
Modouw, a son of the chief of the Sentani tribe, familiar with the cultural characteristics of the
on July 5, 2017: Sentani tribe. As a social communication tool,
"The musical instrument was made in 1823, kelambut has become a sign language medium in
but there is no written proof of when we first the communication process of the Sentani tribe.
started using it... Everything about using the For a long time, various sounds of kelambut have
kelambut was taught to us orally by our leaders. been used by the Sentani tribe to summon family
One thing is certain, the ornaments about the hair members, convey distress, and signal tribal wars.
are on the para-paras, and we still use them for Those who can solve the problem behind the
cultural activities." typical sound of kelambut, which is repeated
Based on the aforementioned informants, the right away, respond or send a signal through the
Sentani tribe uses kelambut as a traditional sound of kelambut.
musical instrument for their cultural activities. 4) Environmental Meaning
According to Sentani tribal tradition, Sentani An understanding of symbol reception can
tribal leaders use the sound of kelambut music to serve as the foundation for social practice [43].
enculturate the Sentani tribe. The cultural The Sentani believe that their lives are linked to
activities of the Sentani tribe include being able their understanding of the natural environment.
to organize them well across generations, They understand that the well-being of their lives
accompanied by the sound of kelambut music. is influenced by the gifts of nature, which can be
The existence of the kelambut motif in their called crops. They realize that the natural
Rai S. et al. The Meaning of Kelambut Music for the Sentani Tribe, Papua, Vol. 58 No. 4 Aug. 2023
396
landslides and flash floods, the sound of In addition, this discovery may inspire other
kelambut often accompanies songs containing artists to pursue artistic endeavors.
expressions of sadness. This expression of
sadness is also caused by the loss of many ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Sentani people. Apart from losing their relatives, The first author is acknowledged for his
this expression continues to be conveyed because contribution to the resolution of operational
of the loss of their property and gardens…" conflicts in the development of the research
The disaster news and news about the Sentani outcomes. This research could not have been
tribe in connection with the informant's above completed without the assistance of field workers
narrative by listening to a song that features the for all the requirements of the second author
sound of kelambut music. The confirmation during the data analysis process and up to the
given shows that the sound of kelambut music publication of this scientific paper.
can support the process of conveying messages to
the tribes in Papua. Besides supporting the
socialization process, the sound of kelambut
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