Gongs and Pop Songs

This insightful study uncovers the rich diversity of Indonesian musical traditions, focusing on the Gongs and Pop Songs tradition of Sumatra's Minangkabau people.

Scholarship on the musical traditions of Indonesia has often concentrated on the well-known practices from Java and Bali, particularly the celebrated gamelan traditions. This focus has overshadowed the rich diversity of other musical forms present throughout the archipelago. In Gongs and Pop Songs, Jennifer A. Fraser addresses this gap by delving into the lesser-known gong tradition from Sumatra known as talempong, which is closely associated with the Minangkabau people.

Grounded in extensive ethnographic research and enhanced with online audiovisual materials, Gongs and Pop Songs is a pioneering study that chronicles the history and variety of talempong styles. It highlights the enduring vitality of traditional forms in rural communities while also tracing the emergence of new styles that embody radically different aesthetic values. Each talempong style incorporates elements of Minangkabau pop music or indigenous songs, both of which resonate deeply with the local culture and identity.

Fraser's work takes into account the complex socio-political landscape that influences these musical traditions, including the institutionalization of indigenous arts, the aftermath of a regional rebellion, and the challenges posed by a free-market economy. By adopting a cognitive approach to ethnicity, Gongs and Pop Songs explores how individuals identify as Minangkabau through talempong and how the various styles of this genre contribute to the articulation of ethnic sentiments, ultimately shaping their cultural soundscape.