CEREMONIES: MUSIC OF

INDONESIA

The Sekaten Festival

 CEREMONY

1. What is a ceremony? What role does it play in society?

2. Statement of Inquiry
3. Global Context and Key Concept
 SEKATEN FESTIVAL

1. History of Sekaten
2. Gamelan Sekaten
 MUSIC OF SEKATEN FESTIVAL

Analysis to be completed…
 BUILDING IDENTITY

• Heterophony (multiple melodies communicate different identities)

• Arching melodic contours suggests building of hope and peace
• Use of Pélog (septatonic) scale = greater melodic range = depth in identity
• Thin to thick texture represents growing emotions.
• Dynamics of ensemble are loud, while melody is softer, and countermelody is even softer
(sometimes barely audible). This can represent multiple layers of identity.
• Low-pitch dongs and saron and high-pitch banong contrast creates supplementing identity.
• Slow tempo maintained throughout the piece create a leisurely effect and peaceful sense.
• Rhythm set by gongs and saron contributes to peaceful effect and ’schedule to life’ sense.
• Instruments going off-rhythm and the music recovering can be transferred to real-life where one
may go off-rhythm but must recover.
 CONNECTING CULTURES

• Heterophony represents the unification of multiple melodies (connecting cultures).

• The objective of Sekaten is to celebrate conversion to Islamic faith, and Javanese
form of Islam connects two cultures.
• Use of Javanese instruments to convey Islamic faith, (an unorthodox concept) can be
interpreted as diversification of Islamic culture.
 SHAPING VALUES

• Heterophonic melody suggests overlapping values.

• Arching melodic contour can show hopeful and peaceful values.
• The use of a variety of instruments, can represent how different personalities can come
together to create harmony.
• The music attracts people to the mosque, a place of worship, which can inculcate religious
values of Islam.
• Determination and confidence are required to perform at the Sekaten festival. This can
translate into real-life as well.
• Changing patterns and melody can show ever-changing life and convey adaptability to
situations.
 EXPRESSING BELIEFS

• Arching contour can express belief of peace and hope.

• Heterophonic melody can express multiple beliefs.
• Contrasting banong and saron and gongs can show contrasting beliefs coming
together.
• Expression of Islamic culture through attracting people to mosque.
• Appreciation of music that conveys peace and hope leads to feelings of peace and
hope.
 CONCLUSION

• Ceremony contributes to building identity, shaping values, connecting cultures, and

expressing beliefs.
• Personal and Cultural expression is inherent to ceremonies.
• Ceremonies can reflect multiple identities; of one person or entire communities.
• Ceremonies are unique to each culture, even though they may have the same
intentions; disparate beliefs and identities are reflected.
BIBLIOGRAPHY