Angklung
The angklung (Sundanese: ᮃᮀᮊᮣᮥᮀ) is a musical instrument from the Sundanese people in Indonesia made of a varying number of bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. The tubes are carved to have a resonant pitch when struck and are tuned to octaves, similar to Western handbells. The base of the frame is held in one hand, while the other hand shakes the instrument, causing a repeating note to sound. Each performer in an angklung ensemble is typically responsible for just one pitch, sounding their individual angklung at the appropriate times to produce complete melodies (see Kotekan).
Angklung with eight pitches | |
| Percussion instrument | |
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| Classification | Idiophone |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 111.232 (Sets of percussion tubes) |
| Developed | Indonesia |
| Playing range | |
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G2 - C6 medium | |
| Angklung | |
|---|---|
| Country | Indonesia |
| Criteria | Oral Tradition and Expression, Performing Arts, Customs, rituals and celebrations, Knowledge and practices based upon nature and the universe, and Skill in traditional handcraft |
| Reference | 393 |
| Region | Asia and the Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2010 (5th session) |
| List | Representative List |
| Traditional Angklung (Pentatonic – Slendro Scale: Angklung Kanekes, Angklung Dogdog Lojor, Angklung Gabrag, Angklung Badeng, Angklung Bungko, Angklung Badud, Angklung Buncis, and angklung Calung) and Modern Angklung (Diatonic/Chromatic – Slendro, Pelog, and Madenda Scale: Angklung Padaeng) | |
| Music of Indonesia |
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| Specific forms |
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| Regional music |
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The angklung originated in what is now West Java and Banten provinces in Indonesia, and has been played by the Sundanese for many centuries. The angklung and its music have become an important part of the cultural identity of Sundanese communities. Playing the angklung as an orchestra requires cooperation and coordination, and is believed to promote the values of teamwork, mutual respect and social harmony.
On November 18, 2010, UNESCO officially recognized the Indonesian angklung as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, and encouraged the Indonesian people and the Indonesian government to safeguard, transmit, promote performances and to encourage the craftsmanship of the angklung.