JP/15/Dayak

JP/15/Dayak

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."