JP\/19\/aceh<\/p>\n
Acehnese Rafly in Jakarta for concert<\/p>\n
Evi Mariani
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
As if there were no time to mourn, just days after the tsunami
\ndevastated his homeland and swept away his family home, Acehnese
\nmusician Rafly took his guitar and serune kale (bamboo flute) and
\nwandered around shelters in Banda Aceh.<\/p>\n
His songs, composed in Acehnese, tell a lot about Acehnese
\nculture and social situations in the province, which had suffered
\nyears of conflict before the catastrophe struck.<\/p>\n
His songs and the way he sang them, in the traditional
\nAcehnese style, moved the Acehnese more than any outsider's music
\ncould do.<\/p>\n
The displaced people sang along with him as they were familiar
\nwith his songs. If the song was a joyful song, they sang with
\nspirit, but if the song was a sad one, together they cried.<\/p>\n
"When we entertained people in camps in Banda Aceh, I saw the
\nempty eyes of children fill with joy after Rafly sang the second
\nsong," jazz group Krakatau's lead vocalist Nyak "Ubiet" Ina
\nRaseuki said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The Aceh Kita Foundation -- which has been working with local
\nartists and Acehnese women for two years now, among other social
\nwork -- heard about Rafly's initiative and the unique way in
\nwhich he gave the devastated Acehnese people the spirit to carry
\non.<\/p>\n
"We wanted to support him. So, we decided to use our existing
\nambulances to transport not only health workers but also Rafly
\nand other artists," one of Aceh Kita's founders, Debra Yatim,
\nadded.<\/p>\n
"Help from a fellow Acehnese is more meaningful to them as
\nthey share a bond," she said.<\/p>\n
Rafly said that the Acehnese had cultural values that
\nencouraged them to be happy, to have integrity and to be positive
\nin instances of adversity. He said that his compositions spoke a
\nlot about those values.<\/p>\n
Ubiet and noted keyboardist Dwiki Darmawan have agreed to do a
\ncharity tour to at least 30 camps in Aceh.<\/p>\n
"We have the car, we have the artists. But we need more funds
\nto buy gasoline and other necessities," Debra added.<\/p>\n
To raise funds, the foundation will stage a concert featuring
\nRafly and his 10-strong group, Kande, Dwiki and Ubiet.<\/p>\n
There will also be a short-film screening Beudoh Besusare
\n(Rebuilding Our Lives) by independent filmmakers Konfiden and a
\nSaman (traditional Acehnese dance) performance by the Tangan
\nSeribu dance group as well as Acehnese food, Acehnese coffee and
\ncrafts for sale.<\/p>\n
Tickets are priced at Rp 250,000 (including dinner) and
\navailable at the Aceh Kita Foundation's office on Jl. Bojonegoro,
\nMenteng in Central Jakarta. Phone: (6221) 390 1576.<\/p>\n
The concert will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Mar.
\n14 at Erasmus Huis on Jl. Rasuna Said in South Jakarta.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jp19aceh-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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