Page 24 - JaKita 01rd Edition 2021

24 ART & CULTURE
24
Members
of Sanggar
Pusaka
Ciganjur play
Rebana Biang.
Credit:
Personal Doc
Rebana Biang he Betawinese has inherited plenty of
cultural heritage, one of which is Rebana
TBiang (jumbo-sized tambourine). Today,
Lost In The the cultural performance becomes so rare—one
of fews who try to preserve the art is Sanggar
Pusaka Ciganjur.
Mists of Time The foruth generation of Sanggar Pusaka,
M.Nasir, said that the history of Rebana Biang
began when a man from Banten, Kompi Zaenal,
Rebana Biang arts has been introduced introduced the art. The man who was known
by the Betawinese since year 1825. as Bapak Tua Kumis (The Old, Mustache Man)
came to Ciganjur, South Jakarta in 1825. Then
Today, the art seemed to get vanished Haji Damong, the man who learned the art from
day by day. One of those to preserve the him for the first time, introduced the art to the
culture is Sanggar Pusaka Ciganjur. communities.
Nasir told JaKita that before 1975, Rebana Biang
had once lost its charm. But in year 1975, Ali
Sadikin who was the acting governor at that
1st EDITION 2021
Sarana Informasi Pemerintah Provinsi DKI Jakarta
ART & CULTURE 25
25
time, began a program to preserve Betawi
culture. He invited many traditional artists,
including the ones who play Rebana Biang.
“Rebana Biang became alive ever since,” said
Nasir to JaKita in his house at Ciganjur, South
Jakarta.
He remembered that around 1970, there
There were many of Reba- were many of cultural studios (sanggar) in
na Biang competitions in Jakarta and Depok that played Rebana Biang
Ciganjur but failed to survive. Only a few who
the past, but became rare survived. “There were many of Rebana Biang
today as most studios stop competitions in the past, but it became rare
playing them. today as most sanggars stop performing
them,” said Nasir.
M. Nasir, Fourth Generation
in Sanggar Pusaka CIganjur Rebana Biang is a musical performance
full of Arab culture. The songs are mostly
Islamic and full of praises to Allah SWT, such
as Rabbuna Salun, Allah Aisa, Allahu Sailillah
and Dul Sayiduna. It consists of three rebanas
(tambourines), with the biggest one has
diameter of 52 cm. The second one with
medium size, namely kotek is 42 cm in diameter
and the smallest one, named gendung, has
diamater of 32 cm. Those rebanas will be
played on the man’s lap.
The sixth generation of Sanggar Pusaka
Ciganjur, David Rahman, performed Rebana
Ciganjur’s Rebana Biang Biang music everywhere—he once performed
it in the Kangaroo land, Australia. “The
performance of Rebana Biang in Australia
Muncul pertama kali di Ciganjur Jakarta Selatan becomes our pride as people of Betawi,” he
Found for the first time in Ciganjur, South
said.
sekitar tahun 1825.
Jakarta, around 1825.
Used as music accompaniment for Belenggo Up until now, David keeps on introducing
Merupakan iringan Musik Tari Belenggo.
dance. Rebana Biang art to the younger generations.
Lagu yang biasa dimainkan: Allahu-Ah,
Even when they were not really interested in
Robbuna Salun, Allah Aisa, Allahu Sailillah,
Songs often played with the instrument: it, David didn’t gave up. He could only hope
Allahu-Ah, Robbuna Salun, Allah Aisa, Allahu
Alfasah, Dul Sayiduna, Dul Laila, dan lain-lain. that there will be more stages provided for the
Sailillah, Alfasah, Dul Sayiduna, Dul
Laila,
etc. performance of Rebana Biang. For him, the
Ukuran diameter Rebana Biang:
stage would give more valuable price than
1. Rebana Biang: 52 cm money: to preserve the culture of Betawi that
Diameter size:
1.
Rebana Biang: 52 cm
2. Kotek: 42 cm become lost in the mists of time. “With stages
3. Gendung: 32 cm
Kotek: 42 cm
2.
3. Gendung: 32 cm given for us, we could preserve the existence
of Rebana Biang,” ended David. gro
Infographic/Tommy K.R
1st EDITION 2021
Sarana Informasi Pemerintah Provinsi DKI Jakarta