Musical instruments of Gulingtangan.

My friend and I went to the Museum the other day. We captured some of the instruments that were needed in playing “gulingtangan”.  Actually, we were not allowed to enter the small house that consist of the instruments BUT yeah since we told them that we were doing our research, then…. FINALLY APPROVED!! yeayyy~

Here are some of the pictures that I got from my visit to the museum.

Oh before that, I need to explain the definition of “gulingtangan”.

What is “gulingtangan”? 

“Gulingtangan” is one of the traditional music instrument played in Brunei Darussalam. It is an instrument which must be performed with several further traditional instruments. There are five different kinds of instruments consisting in a  Gulingtangan Orchestra, they are; “gulingtangan”, “canang”, “tawak-tawak”, “gong” and “gandang labik”.

The instrument “Gulingtangan” are commonly used in many occasions for example; weddings, religious functions etc. In addition, “Gulingtangan” are generally used in the tribal areas of Brunei which are listed; “Melayu Brunei”, “Kedayan”, “Belait” and “Murut”

Okay now….. Lets just proceed to the images of each instruments.

Gulingtangan

“Gulingtangan”  is playing an important role in Gulingtangan Orchestra. With the absence of this instrument, the melody will be incomplete.

The Gandang Labik 

The “Gandang Labik” is made from wood and animal skin.

Canang

The Gong or Agong 

 

Tawak-tawak

 

“Canang”, gongs, “tawak-tawak” are more the less the same. The comparison of the three instruments are their sizes and they produce different kind of sounds. Tawak-tawak is known as the larger gong among those two instruments.

In the traditional orchestra the instruments are made of a row of small horizontally-laid gongs and several larger and medium sized suspended gongs together with drum-like instruments. Most of them are made from brass.

The picture below is the materials that are used to make gulingtangan.

In old Malay tradition, they used traditional music to perform a silat  and dance competition or performances even now, gulingtangan music is still being used during the competitions.

Silat Performance

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When played, the gulingtangan gives out graceful and soothing sounds that sing out the perfect melody and provide a very wonderful harmony.