Indonesian Papua musical instruments are a famous art form in Indonesia. They have distinct qualities that set them apart from other types of musical instruments.
However, Papuan musical instruments are only known by Papuans, despite the fact that all Indonesians should recognize them as a show of respect for their motherland.
Various Types of Papuan Musical Instruments
If you wish to learn more about the many varieties of Indonesian Papua musical instruments, continue reading:
1. Tifa
The musical instrument is the most well-known Papuan musical instrument. This one often consists of the toughest wood, Lenggua wood, with an animal skin layer on top.
The animal’s skin is wrapped in a spiral of rattan to make it taut and generate a wonderful sound. The size of the tone that emerges from the drum gets determined by the instrument’s size. This musical instrument also includes Papuan decorations on the body.
In particular, this Papuan musical instrument is useful for greeting guests, traditional festivities, and dances like War, Asmat, and Gatsi.
2. Guoto
This instrument consists of bamboo slats with sliced tips to make strings. Wood supports the strings, allowing them to make music.
At first glance, the guoto resembles the celempung, a classic Sundanese musical instrument. The manner in which to play it, though, is different. The strings of the guoto are plucked. Meanwhile, the celempung is played by striking the string and inserting it into the side hole.
Guoto is typically used to greet guests or to accompany dances or ceremonies.
3. Pikon
Dani tribal males often use this Indonesian Papua musical instrument. The circular oval form of this Papuan musical instrument is composed of a very tiny fragment of bamboo.
Furthermore, there is a rope in the center of the instrument that is attached and tied to a section of sticks that serves as a vibrator.
To perform, just pull the stick at the bottom, causing the vibrating component to vibrate and generate a distinct sound.
4. Triton
Seashore seashells build this Indonesian Papua musical instrument. These shells may well be available all over Papua’s shore. It is, however, most commonly found in Biak, Yapen, Nabire, Waropen, and Wondama.
Originally, the triton was useful as a calling and signaling instrument before being turned into a musical instrument. It is simple to play this musical instrument by simply blowing on the shell’s one side.
Originally employed as a communication tool to assemble villages, this triton musical instrument is now only useful for amusement.
5. Yi
This one is another Indonesian Papua musical instrument that is highly distinctive and possibly not widely popular. This musical instrument serves the same purpose as the Triton in the past: it brings people together.
Along with its role, yi also has more connections with traditional leaders since there will be traditional activities or when notifications will be made to village members.
This musical instrument is often available on logs with a hollow middle. This instrument is comparable to the kentongan in that you can play it by hitting it forcefully.
6. Mouth Harp
In Java, you pick a harp. While in Papua, you blow a harp. This mouth harp’s way of playing is similar to that of Pikon, by tugging and blowing the string. However, if you ask about this musical instrument’s construction, tiny wuluh bamboo does it.
This instrument is now useful for amusement, and you can play it alone since its sound is not too loud. This musical instrument was also discovered to be from the Dani tribe in the Baliem valley, Jaya Wijaya.
Indonesian Papua, as one of the most culturally diverse areas, has a diverse range of musical instruments. In addition to the musical instruments mentioned above, there may be many additional sorts of musical instruments that are equally distinctive but less well-known.
