Kulintang
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Kulintang is a term for various musical instruments and musical genres which are indigenous to the South-East Asian islands presently known as Indonesia and the Philippines.
In the Philippines, kulintang is the name of a specific indigenous musical instrument (usually, a set of eight tuned, graduated gongs laid on a horizontal rack); however, kulintang also refers to the entire ensemble of percussion instruments which are typically played with the kulintang instrument (for example, in the Maguindanao culture, the "agung", "dabakan", "gandingan", and "babendil"). Kulintang also refers to the music performed by the ensemble musicians.
In Indonesia, kulintang is the name of musical instruments indigenous to several islands, particularly to Sumatra and Sulawesi. Among the indigenous peoples living in the region presently known as Sabah (Indonesia), and the Sulu Archipelago (Philippines), the entire instrument ensemble is known as "kulintangan".
Gamelan music of Indonesia has distinct and easily identifiable differences between the styles played by the many ethnic groups and cultures found throughout Indonesia's islands. Kulintang ensemble music of the Philippines also differs greatly with the ethnic group and region in which it is found.
For example, the Maguindanaon style of Philippine kulintang music is known for its rhythmic complexity and high degree of improvisation, while the Maranao style (which is played only a few hundred miles north of Maguindanao province) emphasizes melody. Maguindanao kulintang music can be further broken down into five different "schools" or styles of music, including the most ancient style of Maguindanaon kulintang music, which originated in the city of Dulawan (presently known as Datu Piang), known simply as "Dulawan style".
External link
- What is Kulintang? (http://www.kulintang.com/kulintang.html)
- Kulintang Music of the Philippines (http://www.madnomad.com/gregg/kulintang/)
- History of Cotabato (http://www.cotabatoprov.gov.ph/history.htm)
- Palabunibuniyan Gongs: Kulintang (http://members.aol.com/TaraCelest/kulintang_instruments.html)
- Music of Indonesia series, presented by Smithsonian Folkways and the Society of Indonesian Performing Arts (http://www.folkways.si.edu/projects_initiatives/indonesian/series.html)