The gong loses its mystical powers<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Surakarta, Central Java<\/p>\n
Javanese society is very closely associated with mystical
\nbeliefs, including the idea that certain objects are sacred or
\nbring people good luck.<\/p>\n
One musical instrument believed to possess such powers is the
\ngong. In old times, this instrument was believed to have the
\npower to create rain during the dry season, ward off misfortune
\nor disease, and even to make plants grow. During this time, the
\ngong was held in the same high regard as other sacred objects,
\nlike the kris.<\/p>\n
As sacred objects, the gong required special treatment.
\nOrdinary people were not allowed to make, hit or even touch
\ngongs, which come in different sizes. Only certain people were
\nallowed to possess a gong, mostly members of the royalty and
\npuppet masters.<\/p>\n
After all these years, is the gong still considered to possess
\nmagical powers?<\/p>\n
\"No,\" said Sanjaya, 41, a gongmaker. \"Now the gong is no
\nlonger considered sacred. It is now simply a musical instrument,
\npart of the traditional gamelan orchestra,\" said the owner of the
\nPanji Gong Agung gamelan manufacturer in Bekonang Sukoharjo.<\/p>\n
At one time, he said, orders for the musical instrument came
\nfrom puppet masters and palaces. But now, almost all hotels have
\ntheir own gamelan, while some government offices have gongs that
\nare used for ceremonial purposes.<\/p>\n
\"The gong is no longer sacred because now everybody has their
\nown gong for various purposes,\" Sanjaya said.<\/p>\n
The only way to distinguish between ordinary and sacred gongs
\nis to examine how they were made.<\/p>\n
\"Gongs ordered by palaces should be made carefully and require
\nspecial attention, to ensure the gong produces a really good
\nsound and has magical powers. General orders do not require a
\nspecial manufacturing process, just the ordinary one,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Gongs are now entering a new phase as they gain popularity
\nabroad. People from countries like Australia, Germany, Japan,
\nMalaysia, the Netherlands and the United States regularly order
\nthe musical instrument. The local markets for gongs include Bali,
\nJakarta and Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
\"Although gongs are used by limited circles, the market for
\nthe instrument is now much better,\" said Sanjaya, who employs 25
\nworkers.<\/p>\n
Another craftsman, Supoyo, said his regular orders came from
\nBali and Jakarta. The orders are usually for a complete set of
\ngamelan instruments.<\/p>\n
Created from a mixture of tin and copper, gongs are created
\nthrough a complicated process. A complete set of gamelan
\ninstruments, for instance, takes three months to make.<\/p>\n
Given the lengthy process, gongs are relatively expensive. A
\ngong with a diameter of one meter and a weight 52 kilograms can
\nsell for Rp 7.5 million, while the cheapest gong, 45 to 55
\ncentimeters in diameter, goes for Rp 800,000 each.<\/p>\n
A complete set of gamelan instruments might cost between Rp
\n100 and Rp 150 million.<\/p>\n
With these prices, craftsmen find marketing the instruments
\ncan be difficult.<\/p>\n
\"Just like any businessman, we want our products to sell
\nimmediately,\" Sanjaya said. --Kartika Bagus C.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-gong-loses-its-mystical-powers-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}