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Gengong art of Bali - Indonesian wonder                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         travel

At a session of the Ministry of Education and Culture on October 6 to 9, three cultural heritages of Denpasar, Bali were designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia 2020. Head of Culture Office, Denpasar, IGN Bagus Mataram said the three cultural works are Nanda tradition, Genggong art, and Gambuh Pedungan art. Today’s edition of Indonesian Wonder  will introduce you to one of the three cultural heritages of Depansar city, namely Genggong Art.

Genggong is a traditional music art in Banjar Pegok Sesetan, Denpasar. This art has existed since the 1930s, played by I Ketut Regen (Pekak Danjur). To play Genggong music, it has a distinctive technique by attaching to the mouth while vibrating through the pulling of the rope or ngedet and using the throat resonance method to produce the tone.Genggong was originally made of dried palm leaf midrib or nguyung, which was formed with 18 to 20 centimeters long and 1.5 to 2 centimeters wide. Due it is difficult to get palm leaf midrib, Genggong is also produced by using bamboo material.

Genggong art at Banjar Pegok Sesetan was previously played to entertain people themselves during rest time when they finish their activities in the fields, because the local people are mostly farmers. Besides that it is also a place to socialize, and get together. Now the function of Genggong is slightly shifted. This traditional art is now often played as a dance accompaniment with other musical instruments as well as a media for community entertainment.