Culture: Preserving Dayak traditional instruments

Bambang Bider, Contributor/The Jakarta Post

When I called on him at his house for an interview, Dayak artist Kristian Mara was helping his pet monkey drink a glass of chocolate milk. "Well, I don't do this because I have lots of money. It's simply because it is this monkey that will stay in the house when I'm out or away," he said, laughing heartily.

The father of three is recognized as one of the most important artists in West Kalimantan. Yet, despite his celebrity status, he is modest about his achievements.

He is known for his passion for preserving the Dayak culture through Dayak traditional musical instruments. According to Kristian, some Dayak people have stopped performing cultural ceremonies because many of the musical instruments usually played to accompany the rites have been either damaged or sold.

Kristian, who makes engravings, composes songs of the Dayak Jangkang tribe in Sanggau Kapuas regency and has produced many recordings of these songs and music, has taken the initiative to make traditional Dayak musical instruments like the gong, kulintang, tawak-tawak and drums in limited quantities to be used by the Dayak people in his area.

"Unless we make these musical instruments, this tradition of the Dayak culture will disappear," he said.

The musical instruments that Dayak tribes possess now are hundreds of years old and many of them are in a bad condition, he noted, adding that some traditional Dayak musical instruments would be sold if they were still in a good condition.

"In fact, when we conduct a rite or welcome guests, these musical instruments must always be used as they are an integral part of the Dayak culture," he added.

Indeed, they have purchased new musical instruments from outside the Dayak community but usually they do not produce the notes needed and are just left to collect dust.

He has been lucky as he did not encounter any serious technical problems, as he could draw on his previous experience as a welder.

Kristian, however, has not received formal training to make Dayak traditional musical instruments. "I have not learnt how to make these musical instruments. I simply studied all the Dayak traditional musical instruments that I could lay my hands on," he said.

When the idea to make the traditional instruments first struck him in 2002, Kristian dug into his own pocket to fund the research, particularly to find the right metal for the instruments.

As the project is self-funded, Kristian always faces the problem of money and equipment. A full set of Dayak traditional musical instruments costs about Rp 6 million (US$600) to make. Carbide and iron plates are the two most expensive materials for these instruments.

If one is interested in ordering a set of Dayak traditional musical instruments from Kristian, a 50 percent deposit is required. "When I started making these instruments in 2002, I charged only Rp 3 million for a set of instruments. However, following the hike in the prices of goods and fuel, reluctantly, I had to raise my price," he said, his face clearly expressing his displeasure at having to raise the price.

It is not without reason. Several buyers have complained about this although they can understand the problem he faces.

"Usually, the instruments are not purchased by individuals. They are bought by a community, a studio or an association. So, price is not really an issue to them," he noted.

Dayak traditional musical instruments that Kristian makes still need a lot of improvement, especially in terms of their shape. "I have used only very simple equipment. I don't use the casting system usually adopted by metal craftsmen to obtain a perfect shape. I have done only what I can do and my products will not disappoint," he said.

As the number of orders he has received from dance studios, government offices in regencies and the communities in rural areas increases, Kristian is seriously considering expanding the business.

To this end, he is ready to share his knowledge with whoever is interested. "Anyway, there must be others who can pass on the know-how to the future generations."