December 31, 2016

Sunari Bambu Bali - The sacred bamboo-aeolian organ of Bali

Sunari Bambu Bali, Bamboo Aeolian Organ, Aeolian Wind Flute, Outdoor Wind Instruments, Musical Instrument Played by Wind

Bali as a major tourist destination in Indonesia has natural beauty, unique culture and noble values that are still preserved. Visitors can enjoy the panoramic beauty of the beach, mountains, forests, hills, valleys and vast stretches of rice fields or rice terraces such as Jatiluwih, Pacung, Tegalalang, Bukit Jambul and others.

In addition, visitors can also watch the procession of ceremony at several holy places at the tourist attractions such as Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Ulun Danu and others. The ritual is an expression of gratitude to the creator and also a form of cultural preservation and values that has been keeping the Bali since centuries.

Sunari Bambu Bali, Bamboo Aeolian Organ, Aeolian Wind Flute, Outdoor Wind Instruments, Musical Instrument Played by Wind

Sunari Bambu Bali

While enjoying the beauty of nature, the fields, or mingle in a ceremonial procession, visitors can enjoy the melodic sound strains simultaneously with the cool breeze.



This melody is not coming from electronic music player, or a group of gamelan that is played. But it comes from an artifacts made of bamboo with a curved tip and holes on its side. This is called Sunari, an unique artifacts or musical instrument played by wind. The artifacts are often found in agricultural fields, the rice paddy, or in the place of a certain ceremonies.

The origin of the word "Sunari" remains unclear. However, some sources say the word of Sunari is likely derived from Sanskrit, "Sundari", which means beautiful, melodious, and woman. As the wind blows through the holes, a pleasing melody and random symphony are produced.

This Bamboo-Aeolian Organ is an ancient instrument that has been widely used by people in South-East Asia and the Pacific Islands. When mounted on a tall tree, the sound can be heard up to great distances, away from any habitation.

Sunari Bambu Bali, Bamboo Aeolian Organ, Aeolian Wind Flute, Outdoor Wind Instruments, Musical Instrument Played by Wind Sunari Bambu Bali, Bamboo Aeolian Organ, Aeolian Wind Flute, Outdoor Wind Instruments, Musical Instrument Played by Wind

Sunari used in Agriculture

Farmers have long used Sunari on their farmland. In addition to functioning as beautiful instrument music, Sunari is very helpful in controlling several types of pests on agricultural crops.

Sunari bambu is usually in pairs with "Pindekan" or propeller. When the wind blows, this outdoor wind instruments will generate a unique voice and melodious.

Some research indicates that the sound vibrations produced by Sunari and Pindekan emit a certain frequency. This vibration (frequency) disrupts the communication systems on some type of animal or agricultural pests such as rats, grasshoppers, and more.

The disruption of communication systems effecting the proliferation of the pest and population level. So that eventually the population of pests can be controlled.

Sunari Bambu Bali, Bamboo Aeolian Organ, Aeolian Wind Flute, Outdoor Wind Instruments, Musical Instrument Played by Wind

Sunari used in Ceremonies

For Sunari used in the ceremony will go through a little ritual process before the hole is made in bamboo culms. Even the installation of Sunari at the specified place follow a certain good day (called "Dewasa Ayu").

The bamboo must be a fresh cut, yellow-green, or has not been used before, in Balinese is called "Sukla". The Sunari is usually made when big ceremonies are held such as Ngenteg Linggih ceremony, Cremation ceremony (Ngaben), and Ngeroras.

Sunari bambu for ceremonial purposes are equipped with several ornaments such as palm fiber that are tied at the tip of the bamboo, palm fiber shaped like animals (monkeys, squirrels, and lizards), fabrics, and woven of palm leaves.

The making of Sunari can not be done by just anyone, but only those with certain abilities that know the ins and outs of Sunari, called Tapini.

Sunari Bambu Bali, Bamboo Aeolian Organ, Aeolian Wind Flute, Outdoor Wind Instruments, Musical Instrument Played by Wind

Bamboo culms with a length of about 15-20 meters is cut and cleaned of stalks and leaves to the ends of the curve. Then a hole is made on the bamboo, between the two segments.

Balinese follows the exact rules to make a good quality of Sunari. The bamboo culms circumference will be measured using a string to get the basic measurement or called "sikut". Then it is used to determine the slit position of the Sunari. A narrow hole or slit is intended for light winds, while wider for stronger wind (fast).

Sunari slit is shaped a triangle, cross, resembles the half or crescent moon, circle (sun) or a simple elongated slit. Balinese people looked at Sunari as a symbol of Holy Letters or "Ongkara" or "Omkara". This can be seen from the shape of the slit: the triangle slit is a symbol of "Nada", the circle (sun) slit is a symbol of "Windhu", the moon-shaped slit is a symbol of "Ardhacandra" and the cross slit is a symbol of "Tapak Dara".

The Balinese believe the melodious and captivate sound of Sunari are going to heaven. The widyadara and widyadari (angels) will descend into the world, witnessed and blessing the ceremony in order to run well and smoothly. Therefore, for people who are "Cuntaka" (have relatives died) and menstruating women is Strictly Forbidden to enter the area where the ceremony takes place.


Reference

  1. google.co.id
  2. wikipedia.org _ Aeolian Harp _ on December 28, 2016
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeolian_harp
  3. windmusik.com _ The famous "Weeping Bamboo" or the Bamboo Aeolian Organ _ on December 28, 2016
    http://www.windmusik.com/html/bamborgl.htm
  4. Sumantera, I Wayan. (1995). "BAMBOO,PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT: Bamboo in Balinese Rituals" (PDF). Proceedings of the Vth International Bamboo Workshop and the IV International Bamboo Congress. Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. 19-22 June 1995. INBAR TECHNICAL REPORT NO.8. ISBN 81-86247-15-7. Retrieved on December 20, 2016.
    https://idl-bnc.idrc.ca/dspace/bitstream/10625/35934/1/106735_v4.pdf
  5. Image : Original Collection

Searches on this site related to Sunari Bambu Bali:

1. Penjor Bali


No comments:

Post a Comment