VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Photo credit: djkn.kemenkeu.go.id

Kolintang, the traditional musical instrument typical of Minahasa, North Sulawesi, is officially recognised as part of the intangible cultural heritage or ‘Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ by UNESCO. This was announced at the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paraguay on Thursday (5/12) at 12.20 local time, or on Thursday (5/12) at 22.00Western Indonesia Time (WIB).Today’s Indonesian Wonderwill introduce youmoreto this Minahasa musical instrument.

The name Kolintang comes from the sound ‘Tong’ produced on the low notes, ‘Ting’ on the high notes and ‘Tang’ on the middle notes. In the past, Minahasa people used to invite people to play Kolintang by saying ‘Let's do tong-ting-tang’ or in Minahasa local language ‘Maimo Kumolintang’. That's where the term ‘Kolintang’ came from. In ancient times, Kolintang music was used to accompany traditional ritual ceremonies related to the worship of ancestral spirits. But over time, this musical instrument is present in various activities, such as traditional parties, choirs, weddings and other events.

Kolintang consists of wooden slats arranged in a row and mounted on a wooden tub. The way to play Kolintang is quite easy. This musical instrument is played by beating using a small stick or called mallet. This small stick is generally wrapped in cloth or yarn pads at the end. The mallets used usually consist of three and are numbered separately. Mallet number one is used in the left hand, while mallet number two and three are held in the right hand, precisely between the fingers according to the accord being played.