Singgalang are a type of song, all affiliated with the place,
Mount Singgalang and the
nagari Singgalang that sits on its slopes.
Singgalang songs are similar in melodic structure, in that each has a characteristic pulsing figure in the saluang, as evident in the opening of the following track.
Performances always begin with the "Imbauan Singgalang," the Singgalang introduction. The texts of this introduction involve formulaic phrases setting the context for a performance and asking the forgiveness of the audience if there are mistakes or wrongdoings, a practice that is standard in Minangkabau contexts. The "Imbauan Singgalang" is followed by a series of two or more Singgalang songs. This category, then, is key to all saluang performances. Some people have suggested that Singgalang songs come first because they are the oldest songs in the repertoire.
