Gong ensembles are a rare sight in Aceh, the autonomous province at the northern tip of Sumatra famous for its syariah law and decades-long struggle for independence. Gongs themselves are so rare, in fact, that the Alas people, an ethnic minority living in the Southwest Aceh region, have largely replaced them with sardine tins! Each tin is bent to get a higher and lower pitch, then played in tight interlocking patterns that weave around the single remaining gong.

Canang situ (also called canang ayan or simply canang) is performed by women at the massive wedding ceremonies, begahen, that are the highlight of the Alas cultural calendar. Each piece is tied to a different part of the wedding ritual - this piece, Canang Tangis Dilo, is played as the bride-to-be melodically sobs at the foot of her parents, a final farewell before making a new family for herself.

The women here, led by the wonderful Ibu Kamrah on the "mother" gong (canang indung), have all been playing since they were young girls. With no younger generation taking up the helm, they continue to play long after they've married their own daughters off.

Hear and learn more about this fascinating and endangered musical tradition at the new Aural Archipelago post at: https://www.auralarchipelago.com/aura....

If you want to support us in sharing the best of rare and endangered traditional music of Indonesia, please consider making a donation at https://www.auralarchipelago.com/donate