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Song in the Sumatran Highlands

Genre: Saluang Sirompak

The saluang sirompak is a bamboo flute from Taeh, an area nearby the city of Payokumbuah.The genre is associated with mysticism. One of the most well-known uses is a man who has an unrequited love interest, playing it in order to win over her affections. Upon hearing the flute, she becomes enamored. The saluang sirompak is an oblique flute. It is a long bamboo tube, like the saluang darek, with a beveled edge, four finger holes on the front of the instrument and one on the back. It is longer than the saluang darek.

The following is an example of the genre, generously shared by Philip Yampolsky from his field recordings. This genre is quite rare so we are grateful to be able to hear a sample. As you listen to the example, you will notice that the saluang sirompak has a very distinctive quality, a very breathy sound. The register heard here is higher than the register used for the most part on the saluang darek, making the sirompak sound very distinctive. The tuning and melodic structure of the song is also noticeably distinct from the saluang darek songs featured here.

Here is an example of how saluang sirompak has been incorporated into the repertoire of saluang darek.

Related Resources

Ikhwan, Nil. 2014. "Spirituality of Saluang Sirompak Music in Taeh Baruah Community, Minangkabau." E-Journal of Cultural Studies 7(4).
Palmer Keen, 2016 "Goona-Goona: Ritual Love Magic and Music in West Sumatra" Aural Archipelago (last accessed April 20, 2021).
Ikhwan, Nil. 2020. "Witchcraft of Saluang Sirompak: Music of Broken Hearts in the Taeh Baruah Minangkabau Community." International Journal of Visual and Performing Arts 2(2):72-80.

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Genre: Sampelong 7 Sampelong is a genre from Limopuluah Koto image_header 2021-04-23T13:21:44+00:00 -0.131585, 100.540660
An end-blown bamboo flute. Of all the Minangkabau flutes, this has the widest diameter, between 4-6c.m. depending on the flute. It is also the longest. The sampling have four finger holes on the front. Like the saluang sirompak, it is specific to the Limapuluh Kota region and is relatively rare these days.

Related Resources:
- Niyat, 1990. Studi Deskriptif Penyajian Musik Tradisional Minangkabau: Musik Vokal Lagu sampelong di Kecamatan Guguk Kabupaten Lima Puluh Kota. Skripsi. Universitas Sumatera Utara
Song: "Sirompak Taeh" 6 This song is named after a kind of flute and genre from the place, the region of Taeh. plain 2021-06-29T23:18:12+00:00
Alternative Title: "Sirompak"
Translation of Title: "The Sirompak from Taeh." The sirompak is a bamboo flute from Taeh that is used for mystical purposes. One of the most well-known uses is a man who has an unrequited love interest, playing it in order to win over her affections. Upon hearing the flute [or in the context of saluang, this song], she becomes enamored.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song:Satangah Tiang (Others noted this as ratok.)
Genre of origin: Sirompak.
Place affiliations: Region of Taeh, which straddles two nagari: Taeh Baruah and Taeh Bukik.
- Kecamatan: Payokumbuah.
- Luak: Limopuluah Koto.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Te E's List of Songs.

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