The gong loses its mystical powers

The gong loses its mystical powers

The Jakarta Post, Surakarta, Central Java

Javanese society is very closely associated with mystical
beliefs, including the idea that certain objects are sacred or
bring people good luck.

One musical instrument believed to possess such powers is the
gong. In old times, this instrument was believed to have the
power to create rain during the dry season, ward off misfortune
or disease, and even to make plants grow. During this time, the
gong was held in the same high regard as other sacred objects,
like the kris.

As sacred objects, the gong required special treatment.
Ordinary people were not allowed to make, hit or even touch
gongs, which come in different sizes. Only certain people were
allowed to possess a gong, mostly members of the royalty and
puppet masters.

After all these years, is the gong still considered to possess
magical powers?

"No," said Sanjaya, 41, a gongmaker. "Now the gong is no
longer considered sacred. It is now simply a musical instrument,
part of the traditional gamelan orchestra," said the owner of the
Panji Gong Agung gamelan manufacturer in Bekonang Sukoharjo.

At one time, he said, orders for the musical instrument came
from puppet masters and palaces. But now, almost all hotels have
their own gamelan, while some government offices have gongs that
are used for ceremonial purposes.

"The gong is no longer sacred because now everybody has their
own gong for various purposes," Sanjaya said.

The only way to distinguish between ordinary and sacred gongs
is to examine how they were made.

"Gongs ordered by palaces should be made carefully and require
special attention, to ensure the gong produces a really good
sound and has magical powers. General orders do not require a
special manufacturing process, just the ordinary one," he said.

Gongs are now entering a new phase as they gain popularity
abroad. People from countries like Australia, Germany, Japan,
Malaysia, the Netherlands and the United States regularly order
the musical instrument. The local markets for gongs include Bali,
Jakarta and Yogyakarta.

"Although gongs are used by limited circles, the market for
the instrument is now much better," said Sanjaya, who employs 25
workers.

Another craftsman, Supoyo, said his regular orders came from
Bali and Jakarta. The orders are usually for a complete set of
gamelan instruments.

Created from a mixture of tin and copper, gongs are created
through a complicated process. A complete set of gamelan
instruments, for instance, takes three months to make.

Given the lengthy process, gongs are relatively expensive. A
gong with a diameter of one meter and a weight 52 kilograms can
sell for Rp 7.5 million, while the cheapest gong, 45 to 55
centimeters in diameter, goes for Rp 800,000 each.

A complete set of gamelan instruments might cost between Rp
100 and Rp 150 million.

With these prices, craftsmen find marketing the instruments
can be difficult.

"Just like any businessman, we want our products to sell
immediately," Sanjaya said. --Kartika Bagus C.