Immigrant traders from countries including Java, Gufi, Madurese, Iran, India, China, and Arab formerly came to Papua. However, cultural acculturation usually only occurs in coastal areas. Due to its close protection from outside influences, West Papua’s indigenous culture is still vibrant today. One example of West Papua’s indigenous culture in the arts is the Guoto musical instrument.
This musical instrument is stringed from the West Papua region and made of wood with animal skins. Animals that people usually use as raw materials are cow skins.
The Manufacturing Process of Guoto
As reported by the Indonesian Cultural Digital Library, it is a chordophone musical instrument or one that is played by plucking, and the sound comes from the vibration of the plucked strings.
This traditional musical instrument is straightforward and modern, and its existence is difficult. This musical instrument is made of bamboo blades that the community has dried. After that, the bamboo skin is smoothed with a knife so it can form threads.
So, the strings of this musical instrument come from the wood itself, not with strings like other stringed instruments. The number of strings in Guoto is usually four, and all four strings are the same distance from each other.
The bottom is then filled with little bits of wood when the strings are complete. This little bit of wood is used to help the lines maintain tension.
They then adjust the wooden wedges so each string can make a different sound. Usually, the local instrument uses rattan or dried calfskin ropes to connect the two bases and ends of its strings.
How to Play Guoto
The way to play this instrument is to pluck the strings and hit them to produce a unique sound.
People usually play games with other West Papuan traditional musical instruments to welcome guests and accompany dances and local rituals.
Other Musical Instruments from West Papua Similar to Guoto
1. Triton
It is a traditional musical instrument made of seashells. How to play this instrument is blown by mouth. All coastal areas have this instrument. The purpose of this tool is only to communicate about the past. This musical device is employed as a woodland marker or to call a tribe.
You can find this instrument in several places. Its territory consists of the islands of Raja Ampat, Wondama, Nabire, Waropen, Yapen, and Biak. The advancement of the times allows for the employment of this tool for enjoyment.
2. Yi
This musical instrument has a unique name as a word from Chinese, but it is a traditional musical instrument native to Indonesia. This instrument has the same function as the Triton. The development of society makes this tool used as a musical instrument to accompany the traditional dances of this area.
Yi is a bamboo and wood instrument that produces a lovely sound when blown. The soft whistle sound can make you feel comfortable. Many hotels in West Papua perform music to accompany traditional musical instruments.
3. Tifa
This province is home to a well-known musical instrument. Maluku residents also make use of this musical instrument. Tifa has the same shape as a drum, and how to play this instrument is hit by hand.
People made this musical instrument of wood. Tifa has the same condition as the size. Usually, the tribes in Papua and Maluku have Tifa with unique shapes. The shape and carving of this musical instrument can be adapted to the characteristics of the tribe.
Wrapping up
Now that you know Guoto and some traditional musical instruments from West Papua, you must keep spreading and preserving this culture to youth and the new generation.
