Gandang Tasa: The King of Processional Music in Minangkabau

Abstract

Gandang tasa is a genre of traditional percussion music that continues to dominate various traditional and religious processions in Minangkabau, West Sumatra. Its musical power rests only on the performance of the rhythmic patterns of the gendang and tasa, which are played simultaneously and in an impulsive manner. The music is loud, energetic, and played in an open arena, either in the form of a procession or in an outdoor performance. The goal of this article is to discuss the dominant role of gandang tasa in various traditional and religious ritual processions in the Minangkabau community. The research method is a case study which focuses on the presence of gandang tasa in various ritual processions. The research results show that the loud, energetic character of the music, and the musical power of the rhythmic patterns played by the gandang tasa have led this music to dominate traditional and religious ritual processions in Minangkabau.

Keywords: gandang tasa, king of processional music, energetic, Minangkabau

DOI: 10.7176/ADS/83-02

Publication date:July 31^st 2020