|
|
Drumming of the Rebana Besar
Giant drums known as rebana ubi are a regular feature at Kelantanese festivals. Particularly apparent during the kite and top spinning festivals held in the state, the 100kg drums are played in a variety of beats with great gusto.  The “Rebana Besar” (Rebana=drums & Besar=big) were very popular prior to the 1960s for Malay weddings and circumcision celebrations. Their loud drumming can be heard for miles in a still Malaysian night! Usually the drums are played in pairs of three which are hung up in the patio or porch of a Malay house. Sometimes, a special shed is built to house them.
The “Rebana Besar” are also mainly played by the older men as a form of past time entertainment. After dinner, while puffing palm leaf cigarettes or chewing betel leaves, the drums are played accompanied by the singing of “berdikir” or the singing of religious songs that would last till the early hours of the morning. With the advent of television as a prime source of entertainment, the playing of the “Rebana Besar” is in decline. Nevertheless, it is revered as a great heritage of old Malaysia.
|
|
|
 Brass or wooden gong ensembles form an inherent part of Sabah's tribal music scene. Different tribes may have a different complement of instruments.
The Kadazans use a six gong ensemble while the Bajaus include the kulintangan, a set of kettle bedded gongs, to accompany the ensemble.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Musik
