Angklung Seller at Mt. Tangkuban Perahu

An angklung seller at the parking lot of Mt Tangkuban Perahu. As I once posted back in 2009, angklung is an Indonesian traditional bamboo musical instrument.

West Javanese Cultural Heritage: The Angklung

In addition to cultural performances, Saung Angklung Udjo or SAU (see my post yesterday) also has a sizeable angklung production workshop where visitors can see for themselves how the angklung is made and even learn how to make it themselves.



To learn more about angklung, how it is made, and other pertinent information, you can read this Wikipedia article and/or visit the Angklung Web Institute site.

Although the angklung can theoretically be made from any bamboo, it is best made from two particular types of bamboo, i.e. the black bamboo (the Sundanese people call it "awi wulung") like the one in the bottom photo and the white bamboo or "awi temen".

My World: Saung Angklung Udjo (SAU)

The above photo is of Angklung Jaipong dance, one of the art and cultural performances staged at Saung Angklung Udjo (Udjo's Angklung House).

Among many performing art groups and houses in Bandung, Saung Angklung Ujdo (or SAU for short) is probably unique in that it is professionally managed and stages performances of a wide array of Sundanese (West Javanese) arts on the daily basis. Established in 1966 by the late Udjo Ngalagena or Mang Udjo and his wife Uum Sumiati, SAU takes pride in its vision and mission not only as a place where Sundanese arts are performed, but also as a living art laboratory and an institution that strive to preserve the Sundanese cultural heritage and provide community-based art education.



The word "angklung" that makes up its name indicates SAU's specialty in this kind of bamboo musical intrument. Angklung is a Sundanese (West Javanese) traditional musical instrument made of bamboo. Angklung performances are the main stapple of SAU's menu. Throughout the two hour daily performances, the angklung and Sundanese bamboo music makes up five out of ten performances given. In one of them, the audience is given a chance to play angklung together as an orchestra with the guidance of an expert teacher. Please check my other blog BANDUNG DAILY VIDEO at some later time to hear the music and see how angklung is played.

Other performances offered at SAU include a Wayang Golek demonstration, Tari Topeng Cirebon (Cirebonese Mask Dance), and Helaran (festive celebration of important occasions in the Sundanese society), and Tari Merak (Peacock Dance).

SAU is located on Jalan Padasuka 118 in the east of Bandung.



This post is BANDUNG DAILY PHOTO's participation in My World Tuesday. Please click the link to check other posts from the participating blogs from around the world.