Panting Music

BANJARMASIN is a city located in southern part of Borneo island known by the nickname “City of Thousand Rivers”. Such epithets are outsiders because so many rivers that flow in a residential area Urang Banjar this. In addition to the river, in Banjarmasin there are also lakes and swamps, so it is not surprising that this region is the producer of freshwater fish are abundant and species also varied. From the other side, not too exaggerated to say that the traditional arts that exist and thrive in Banjarmasin is also closely related to the nature around their settlements. In Urang Banjar life so close and familiar with the water, ie rivers, swamps, lakes, and seas.

Intermingling between the local ethnic culture was evident once the art of carving and traditional architecture Urang Banjar. Similarly, the traditional household appliances, transportation, dance, folk song, and others. In addition, Urang Banjar also has a traditional theatrical art like Mamanda, Wayang Gung, Abdul Muluk Loba, Kuda Gepang, Damarwulan, Tantayungan, Wayang Kulit, and Tutur.  While the (instrument), among others, such as traditional music Kuriding, Panting, Kintunglit, Bungbung, Suling, Salung Ulin, and Kateng Kupak. One type of music that is quite prominent and famous of Banjarmasin at the present time this is Panting, as a musical ensemble. 

At first, the Panting music comes from Tapin. The term Panting actually is the name for a musical instrument plucked and shaped a bit like Gambus in the Arabian peninsula, but its size is smaller. Panting musical instruments are generally made of Nangka wood. In the past, Panting as a musical instrument played only kordofon individually (solo). But in its development and in line with progress of time, in a musical performance Panting played also several other musical instruments together (ensemble), such as Babun, Agung (gongs), and Biola (violin) to accompany the singing of traditional Urang Banjar.

Naming “Panting music” is derived from the name of the instrument itself, because the “Panting music” (as an ensemble) is the famous musical instruments, and the dominant role is Panting, so this type of music is called “Panting music”. According to a Panting player, the man who first give the name as “Panting music” is A. Sarbaini, which until now Panting music is famous as the traditional music that originated from Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan.

In Urang Banjar language, the word “Panting” means many things. One is the “thorn fish that contain toxins”. But in the context of traditional music culture Urang Banjar, the word “Panting” to mean “quote”, that is sounding the strings with a scolding technique. The sound of the passage of the strings that chink-chink sharp (maybe like a “thorn fish”), coupled with how to create melodies with specific patterns, so the musical sounds that can touch the recesses of the heart, until the hearts of people stabbing who heard it. Panting music ensemble as a whole musical sound is intact, which twang “Panting”, thumper “babun”, incision violin, flute blowing, and blow gongs are played simultaneously in harmony, becomes a performing arts delicious enough to be seen heard, first-more Malay rhythms that heave was quite thick, without realizing it will be able to make our bodies swayed.

According to public confidence in the original maker, a Panting will have great appeal when the stringed instruments are given a “azimat” (“sacret object”). In the past, makers Panting always put “something” (“azimat”) into the stomach Panting resolved before construction. “Azimat” include Tambang Lirang, which is a kind of “guna-guna” (“magic”). Panting makers believe that the Tambang Lirang can make fans and audiens so crazy about Panting music. Therefore they will always want to watch musical performances Panting. Tambang Lirang can grow the audience longing to sounds he heard, which is so melodious. Another “azimat” is Bunga Kenanga. Use of Bunga Kenanga on stringed musical instrument is intended for an audience and feel “longing grudge” (restless) when dit not hear the Panting people played. In addition, there are also Sumbaga that aims to make the audience spellbound to the performing arts musical Panting, as well as the existence of “certain writings” that aims to make the audience amazed at the sound of Panting music.

Among the “pemantingan” group also known as the “datu” (shamans) as a custodian of Panting. According to old beliefs, datu is used to give the sound quality of Panting music is very melodic (tunable). Some of the best known is Datu Lampai, Datu Bangkala, Datu Kalambahai, Datu Kundarai, Datu Ujung, and Datu Lampai Sari was the only female datu. In the show Panting in the past, if want to play Panting in the middle of the crowd, then the first was called “datu-datu” (shamans) was a way to burn incense and lay Panting on the smoke “kemenyan” (“incense”), which is being burned.

Based on its shape, Panting as stringed instruments (chordophone) have differences. Because of these differences, there appeared the names of Panting, including Lalai Gajah, Putri Kurung, Putri Manjanguk, Mayang Bungkus or Mayang Marakai, Sari Dewi, and Si Runtuh Palatar. Among the forms or species, the most widely used is Lalai Gajah and Putri Kurung. While the most rare is Mayang Marakai. Because, there are who think that if you use Mayang Marakai Panting type, then the music player group will “rakai”, disperse or not compact anymore.

As for the songs presented in Panting music ensemble have poems using language Urang Banjar, which is generally shaped rhyme. One of the music player Panting explained, that in terms of regional developments songs (poems) typical rhythmic Banjar in South Kalimantan is divided into 3 (three), namely the songs that developed on the edge of rivers, inland, and coastal beaches.

The song is growing along the edge of the river called the Rantauan songs, particularly in the areas of Kuala Banjar. The characteristics of these Rantauan songs heave-square-wave and ripple like waves of the river and as people who lament his fate (sadly). Differences Rantauan by Pasisiran song, for example on the Rantauan song inherent concept of “mangancang meratapi nasib”  (high pitched while lamenting the fate), while the Pasisiran song with the concept of ”mangancang tapi ba-arti” (high pitched with the intent or specific purpose).

Japin songs that come from the Hulu Sungai (Banjar Hulu), namely from Kota Rantau to Tanjung, known for its Pandahan song. This song is called also the song sung Tirik because when the “ma-irik urang banih” (people who are separating the grains of rice stalks by being trampled when the harvest, that if in Mandailing called “mardege”). The song is sung while “baturai” (echo-reply, said-replication), where the “final word” from a verse that has been sung again used to be the beginning of the next stanza rhyme, such as Paris Barantai song is quite famous.

The song is growing on the coastal region of Kota Baru (Sigam), which was sung in a tone shrill squeaky high enough (perhaps because there is little influence of Bugis culture) song called Pasisiran. Examples like the Japin Sigam song that accompanies the Japin Sigam dance, and also the Intan Marikit song.

Keep in mind that the original Panting music in Banjar, which used only three types of musical instrument that is only Panting (chordophone), Babun (drums) and Agung (gong). In the Rantauan area of Arab-Indonesian added Kaprak instrument, and some are adding Tamborin. While the Pandahan song in the Hulu Sungai in addition to using Babun, there is also a Rebab (fiddle) and Terbang. The addition of Babun that pounding sound that is very appropriate because it is often used as accompaniment Ba-kuntau (martial arts). While the Pasisiran song added Tamborin and Biola (probably due to the influence of Arabic), because its function as a accompanist Japin dance with a distinctive beat of the feet (Kapincalan). It is estimated that from where the Biola at the Panting as an ensemble music.

As Pungkala (patron) in taking the creation of the kind of Banjar song of 3 kinds of rhythm (twisted): (1) Dundam, that the songs are rather sad, like someone manggarunum (“muttering”) but sung, such as singing songs when rocking the child in a swing (euthanize). This species is also used as a song which tells the story of history as Putri Junjung Buih which very sad. Example of dundam rhythm is Tatangis creation Hamiedan AC, (2) Madihin, namely the songs on Madihin art. Examples Madihin rhythm track is the song’s Dayuhan wan Intingan creation H. Anang Ardiansyah, and (3) Lamut, namely the songs on the Ba-lamut art.

Ampar-Ampar Pisang song created Thamrin, but was released by AC Hamiedan and Barantai Paris song creation H. Anang Ardiansyah are two songs that became “mecca” in creating Banjar folk songs. This is because this is the second song was first recorded and known to many people there.

Regarding when the birth of Panting music, until now has not obtained a written record. But, according to oral speech (from mouth to mouth) that developed in rural areas and villages in South Kalimantan, Panting music existed before colonial times, or more less in the 18th century. At that time, the Panting music used to accompany Japen and Gandut dances. At this time accompanied by instrumen Panting music such as Babun, Agung, Suling, and Rebab. But after the Biola entry into the Kingdom of Banjar, then the Rebab position replaced by Biola.

In the early and development stage, musical instrument Panting only has three strings, each string has its own function. The first string is called pangalik, meaning string rung for intersperse song or melody. The second string is called panggundah, or pangguda used as a constituent songs or paningkah (improvisation maker). The third string is called agur, who serves as the bass. In the past, the strings Panting are made from haduk hanau (ijuk, roofed), pineapple fibers, bark fibers bikat, thread the machine, or thread sinali. But now, because it is more easily obtained, coupled with a much more melodic sound, so the nylon yarns tend to be more widely used. There is also the use of wire rope (string) with four stretch of the Panting body. In terms of body shape Panting are called Mayang Bungkus, Mayang Bunting and Mayang Maurai. Whereas carving the head Panting also vary among other Karuang Bulik, Simbangan Laut, Naga Salimburan, Putri Bungsu, and Putri Kurung.

Panting music setback occurred in the Japanese colonial era. At that time, the Panting music rarely staged. Naturally, because at that time, everyone should strive to maintain life. This situation continued decades later after the Japanese left Indonesia.

In 1984 a crucial year for the life of Panting music. At that time, the artists do research on this music in the area Tapin district. From the research, stated that the Panting music is still eligible to be reappointed to the surface. Everything was prepared. The songs were renovated and replaced with songs that have been re-arranged in such a way. Having addressed adequately by not leaving the essence of a musical tradition, in 1984 also, the Panting music tested to the local music festival in Indonesia. The result is very satisfying at the same time surprising. Panting music managed to occupy the top 10 music of the archipelago. Since then, development continues to be improved. Until at last, was born the Panting musical groups throughout the South Kalimantan today.

Panting music ensemble consisting of: (1) Panting, (2) Babun, a musical instrument made of wood round, there is a hole in its center, and on the right and left sides are coated with leather from goatskin. Babun is played by being hit, (3) Agung, usually made of aluminum round and round bumps in the middle there. Agung (gongs) is played by being hit, (4) Biola, a kind of strings, (5) Suling (bamboo), is played by blowing, (6) Ketipak, similar Tarbang shape but smaller size, and both sides coated with leather, and (7) Tamborin, percussion instruments made of thin metal and are usually Banjar society called Tamborin with the name Guguncai.

In musical Panting performace, usually the number of musical Panting instruments as many as 3 pieces, and coupled with other musical instruments. Panting music is also called by the name Japin if presented for accompanied by dance. Panting music presented by the songs that usually reciting rhymes. Rhyme contains the advice or “advice rhyme”, and limerick. The song is sung monotone, which means music sung without any reffrein. Panting music player plays music by way of sitting, the male players sit cross-legged, whereas  female  players  sit  with legsfolded back. The Panting musicians in general wearing traditional clothes Banjar.  The man was wearing a cap as headgear, while female players wear the veil.

There are some functions of Panting music. First, as entertainment for music and his poems are sometimes playful and can entertain the crowds. Therefore, Panting music are often used in traditional wedding ceremony. Second, as a means of education because poetry (songs) in Panting music contain about advice and religious values of Islam. Third, as the music that has religious values, because the music-his music contains elements of religion. Fourth, as a means to tighten the brotherhood of Urang Banjar.

Note: this article is just an initial observation of Panting as amusical ensemble that developed in Banjarmasin city. Information about Panting music was obtained from various sources, including interviews with Panting musicians.