Hello Sinaumed’s friends, Maybe when you hear the name of the province of West Java, what comes to your mind is of course the famous capital city, Bandung. This city has a long history in the development of Indonesia. It’s no wonder that this city has several nicknames, such as Bandung Lautan Api, Paris Van Java, City of Flowers and many more.
Besides all that, this province is famous for its beautiful panoramas and rich in local wisdom. There are regional games, songs, dances, traditional musical instruments, regional specialties, and more.
Folk songs are typical music in an area. The characteristics of regional songs are often the use of local lyrics and instruments such as gamelan, angklung or drums.
Inspiration for the song often tells about history, natural scenery, typical food or the habits of the people of the area.
Indonesia itself has lots of folk songs, of course these must be preserved so that the nation’s culture can live on from generation to generation. This time we will discuss and dissect some of the meanings of popular West Javanese folk songs and traditional West Javanese musical instruments.
Regional Songs from West Java
If we talk about the province of West Java, of course our memory will not be separated from the familiar names, namely “Bandung” , “Sunda” or ” Peuyeum” . All the privileges of the province of West Java are the main attraction for people to discover the wealth of art in the western part of Java Island.
The distinctive feature of the province of West Java is its regional songs. West Java has many very unique folk songs to sing. What are the folk songs from West Java? Let’s look at the following collection of folk songs from West Java and their meanings.
1. Bubuy Bulan
Bubuy Bulan is a West Javanese folk song composed by Benny Corda in Sundanese. This song is very familiar to Sundanese people, this song is often taught from elementary to high school.
Lyrics of the folk song “Bubuy Bulan”
Bubuy Bulan is a love song that tells about the longing for someone who is far from his lover. He still hopes that his girlfriend can often come home to visit him to satisfy his homesickness.
But his desire increases when he often sees someone passing by his house every morning, and this person seems to remind him of his girlfriend because they have similar eye features.
2. Tokecang
Tokécang is a West Javanese folk song which is also popular among the Sundanese people and even outside the Sundanese community. The song was also choreographed with pop music several times to make it more accessible to the wider public.
Tokecang is also one of the most famous folk songs in Indonesia, and has even been used as the soundtrack for a children’s soap opera on TV. Many people love this song, from children to adults, because of its upbeat, fast and witty lyrics.
Traditionally, tokecang is included in the play song genre, usually sung by children in pairs, facing each other and holding hands. While the song is being performed, the couple turns and rotates their hands so that they are facing each other.
Usually this game is done while waiting for something, either in the form of objects or people. The goal is to reduce boredom when waiting is too long, so that it fills spare time.
Lyrics of the folk song “Tokecang”
Tokecang tokecang bala gendir tosblong
Angeun kacang angeun kacang sapependil kosong
Aya listrik di masigit meuni caang katingalna
Aya istri jangkung alit karangan dina pipina
Tokecang tokecang bala gendir tosblong
Angeun kacang angeun kacang sapependil kosong
3. Manuk Dadali
Manuk Dadali is still classified as a folk song originating from West Java, which was composed by Sambas Mangundikarta. Manuk Dadali means Garuda Bird, it is clear that this song is nationalist in nature and describes the power of the Garuda bird as a symbol of Indonesia’s glory.
Lyrics of the song “Manuk Dadali”
Mesat ngapung luhur jauh di awang-awang
Meberkeun jangjangna bangun taya karingrang
Sukuna ranggaos reujeung pamatukna ngeluk
Ngapak mega bari hiberna tarik nyuruwuk
Saha anu bisa nyusul kana tandangna
Gandang jeung pertentang taya bandingannana
Dipikagimir dipikaserab ku sasama
Taya karempan kasieun leber wawanenna
Chorus
Manuk dadali manuk panggagahna
Perlambang sakti indonesia jaya
Manuk dadali pangkakon carana
Resep ngahiji rukun sakabehna
Hirup sauyunan tara pahiri-hiri
Silih pikanyaah teu inggis bela pati
Manuk dadali ngandung siloka sinatria
Keur sakumna bangsa di nagara indonesia
4. Cing Cankeling
Cing Cangkeling is a type of Sundanese game song that is often sung by children to count before playing cat and mouse or running. At first glance, this song seems meaningless. But it turns out that the lyrics of this song carry a fairly deep meaning.
Lyrics of the song “Cing Cangkeling”
Kleung dengklek buah kopi rarang geuyan
Keun anu dewek ulah pati diheureuyan
Cing cangkeling manuk cingkleung cindeten
Plos kakolong bapak satar buleneng
Pat lapat pat lapat katingalan masih tebih kene pisan
Layarna bodas jeung celak kasurung kaombak ombak
This song seems to describe the feelings or contents of the human heart compared to birds flying to and fro. Like birds, the human heart is also full of vibrations and movement.
A good heart is a calm and firm heart that is not easily swayed or shaken. With such a heart, it will certainly grow peace and direct the owner of the heart to the right path.
5. Sweep Pegat Simpay Pain
Sapu Nyere Pegat Simpay is included in the genre of Obligatory Songs or West Java Regional Songs created by Sambas Mangundikarta, a broadcaster and musician from Bandung. We don’t have much information about this song, other than the lyrics and subtitles below.
Lyrics of the song “Sapu Nyere Pegat Simpay”
Ririungan urang karumpul
Meumpeung deukeut hayu urang sosonoan
Macangkrama bari ngawadul
Urang silih tempas, silih eledan
Moal lila jeung babaturan
Hiji wanci anu geus ditangtukeun
Bakal pisah bakal pajauh
Bakal mopohokeun katineung urang
Sapu nyere pegat simpay, bakal kalakon
Takdir ti Gusti Hyang Widi, pasti kasorang
Urang rek papisah
Urang rek pajauh
Meumpeung deukeut
Hayu urang sosonoan
Translation:
Come closer, let’s get together,
While still close, let’s share the joy,
Hanging out while telling stories,
We greet each other, sit together in peace…
We will not always be together (oh friend)
At a time that has been suspended,
We’ll be apart, we’ll be far from each other,
We will forget our memories so far…
Unravel the knot of the broom stick, It Will Happen…(Proverbs)
God’s destiny, the Giver of Permission, must happen…
we will separate,
we’ll be far apart,
While close let’s create longing and joy….
6. Peuyeum Bandung
Peuyeum Bandung is the title of the song which tells about the popularity of Peuyeum as a typical Bandung food which is famous for its enjoyment. This song was composed by Sambas Mangundikarta and popularized by Nining Maida, a Sundanese pop singer in the 1980s, this song attracted many tourists. In Indonesian, peuyeum is often referred to as Sampe or Tapai (tape).
Lyrics of the song “Peuyeum Bandung”
Di mana-mana di kampung di kota
‘tos kakoncaran duh nikmat rasana
Sampeu asalna nu direka-reka
naon namina duh matak kabita
Peuyeum Bandung kamashur pangaos
‘teu luhur ku sadaya kagaleh sepuh jeung murangkalih
Mangga cobian ulah panasaran
peuyeum ti Bandung henteu sembarangan
Translation:
Every where
In the village in the city
Already famous
By delicious taste
Originally from Cassava
Not designed
What is the name
Ouch I want
The famous Bandung tape
The price is not expensive
By all kagaleh
Parents and children
Please try
Just in case it’s hot
Tapes from Bandung
Not carelessly
7. Sabilulungan
In Indonesian, Sabilulungan means “Unity”. As the title suggests, the song tells a story about solidarity, mutual cooperation, and an invitation to anyone to stay united.
The song Sabilulungan itself was written by Sundanese artist Koko Koswara, or better known as Mang Koko. Through the lyrics of the song, it implies that the unity which has become the symbol of the Indonesian state is something that must be protected and preserved.
Lyrics of the song “Sabilulungan”
Sabilulungan, urang gotong-royongSabilulungan, urang silih rojongSabilulungan, genteng ulah potongSabilulungan, persatuan tembongTohaga, rohakaRempug jukung ngabasmi pasalingsinganSatia, sajiwaRempug jukung ngabasmi pasalingsinganSabilulungan, hirup sauyunanSabilulungan, silih pikahemanSabilulungan, tulung tinulunganSabilulungan, kukuh persatuanSantosa, samaktaTeuneung ludeung ngajaring kawibawaanSaihwan, SafahamNagri nanjung berkah sabilulungan(Instrumen)Sabilulungan, urang gotong-royongSabilulungan, urang silih rojongSabilulungan, genteng ulah potongSabilulungan, persatuan tembongTohaga, rohakaRempug jukung ngabasmi pasalingsinganSatia, sajiwaRempug jukung ngabasmi pasalingsinganSabilulungan, hirup sauyunanSabilulungan, silih pikahemanSabilulungan, tulung tinulunganSabilulungan, kukuh persatuanSantosa, samaktaTeuneung ludeung ngajaring kawibawaanSaihwan, SafahamNagri nanjung berkah sabilulungan(Instrumen)
8. Warung Pojok
Warung Pojok is a West Javanese folk song composed by the conductor Tarling from Cirebon, namely H. Abdul Adjib. This song is very popular among folk songs, which of course is no stranger to local music lovers, especially in West Java. So familiar, this song is also widely taught in schools in arts and culture subjects.
Lyrics of the song “Warung Pojok”
- Abdul Adjib himself as the creator of this song is one of the most influential artists. His songs are very popular with the public, especially song lovers. In fact, one of his best works has been arranged by great music masters such as Atot Arosoma, Benny Corda and Mus Mualim.
For his extraordinary works, H. Abdul Adjib also received an award in the arts from the Governor of West Java at that time in 2004.
West Java Traditional Musical Instruments
This time we will discuss some of the traditional musical instruments of West Java. It can be said that the traditional musical instruments originating from West Java are numerous and varied. What are the most popular West Javanese traditional musical instruments? Check out the list of traditional musical instruments below.
1. Angklung
Angklung is a multinational or two-tone musical instrument that has traditionally developed in the Sunda region. The exact location is on the west side of the island of Java or West Java
This musical instrument is made of bamboo, played by shaking it. The sound produced by the angklung is made by moving the body on a bamboo tube and producing a vibrating sound in the form of a timbre of 2 (two), 3 (three) to 4 (four) for each size, both small and large.
2. Arumba
Arumba is a bamboo musical instrument similar to angklung. The term arumba comes from an abbreviation, specifically the strains of a bamboo grove.
Initially, arumba used pentatonic scales. But over time, this instrument uses diatonic scales.
3. Kecapi
Kecapi is a stringed instrument originating from Indonesia, closely related to other stringed instruments in East Asia, as well as Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Korea, and Burma, and China.
In Indonesia, this musical instrument has spread to various parts of the archipelago, including Java, Sundanese, Bugis, Batak, Dayak, Timor, Toraja and others.
Kecapi has different names and forms in each region, such as Kacaping, kecapi, kutiyapi, kasapi, etc.
However, the Sundanese lute has advanced and developed forms and playing techniques compared to similar stringed instruments in Indonesia.
4. Toleat
Toleat is a kind of musical instrument that is played by blowing. Toleat comes from Subang and is often played by shepherds on the north coast. They would play this instrument while waiting for the shepherd. Initially this instrument was made of straw. But over time, this musical instrument was made from tamiang bamboo. Because the craftsmen found the material to be more durable and of high quality.
Toleat has eight tone holes with bass overtones. As a result, it can produce a unique sound similar to a saxophone. The shape of this instrument resembles a flute. However, toleat has a slanted wood. The toleat instrument can be combined with many other musical instruments and can create unique musical creations. This instrument is often associated with drums or harps. Even today, toleat has started collaborating with modern instruments such as keyboards.
5. Rebab
Rebab is a traditional West Javanese musical instrument known since the 8th century. This musical instrument was brought by traders from the Middle East to Indonesia. Rebab is not only found in West Java, because Rebab is also a Jambi and Jakarta traditional musical instrument which is used to accompany Betawi masks.
The meaning of the name rebab comes from the word Rabab which comes from the Persian language and has a sad meaning. This understanding is in accordance with the types of songs that are often played using the fiddle, namely sad songs or ngalengis. The rebab musical instrument is also commonly referred to as lengek, which means friction or mat. Meanwhile, people who play the fiddle are called “ngalengek”, which means playing the fiddle.
In the past, Rebab was made of copper and had three strings or strings. However, over time, violins were made of arrow-shaped wood. The instrument itself is played with a slide like a violin, but not raised over the shoulders.
6. Bamboo Flute
In the Sundanese tradition, the flute is usually made of tamarind type bamboo and has a length of 52 cm and a diameter of 15-18 mm. In the bamboo stick, several holes will be drilled. A hole is tied with thin rattan and used as a sound source. Then another 6-9 holes act as tone controls.
In Sundanese music, two types of flute are used. The first is a flute with six holes or even edges. Often this flute will be used to accompany Sundanese songs Cianjuran or Gamelan Degung Kreasi. The second type is a flute with four holes. Usually this flute is used in the classic Sundanese songs Cianjuran and Gamelan.