Search - Gamelan of Central Java :: XIV. Ritual Sounds of Sekaten

"Ritual Sound Of Sekaten" is connected with the second volume of the series, "Ceremonial Music", both recorded in Surakarta and in Yogyakarta, and both recalling an important, week-long, Islamic celebratory feast (called Sekaten), that celebrates the birth and death of Muhammad the Prophet. During this celebration the gamelan are played all day long. The social aspects of Sekaten are significant, yet the gamelan orchestras manage to capture the sizable audience's attention and little by little overcome the garrulous crowd. A characteristic feature of gamelan performing in the Sekaten rituals is the dimensions of the gongs, the sarons (bronze xylophones), and the bedung drum (as well as all playing sticks), all of which are double their normal size - all bigger to play loud enough to cover the sound of the crowd!