Tari Tanggai played by an “orkes gambus”

Audio 7.8: Audio Example 8 in Chapter 7 of book: Margaret Kartomi, ‘Musical Journeys in Sumatra’, Champaign-Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 2012. In the Ogan and Komering Ilir region, the main guest-welcoming dance performed at ceremonies is the “Tari Tanggai” or ‘long fingernail dance’. Unmarried girls wearing long brass fingernails on their fingers offer betel nut preparations to an honoured guest, a bride at her wedding, or an elder at his installation ceremony. The “Tari Tanggai” is often accompanied by a “gambus” ensemble (“orkes gambus”). In this case, the ensemble comprises the “gambus” (a pear-shaped, fretless lute, plucked with a bone plectrum), a violin (“biola”) and a frame drum (“rebana”). The repetitive melody is supported by animated drum rhythms, but the overall effect is stately, as befitting this type of dance ritual. Seni Budaya Penguton was the performing group, led by Bp Kusno, for this recording which took place at a cultural centre in January 1988. Duration: 1 min. 14 sec. Copyright 1988. Margaret J. Kartomi.