Through Melodies, Our Ancestors Speak to Us
- Hayatun Syamilah
- Sep 30
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 5
It's never about the kompang or the erhu nowadays. Hence, our Music Editor, Syamilah looks into the few different reasons why Malaysian traditional music is slowly losing its hold in people's hearts.
What makes the nation breathe? Its culture.
And what encompasses a culture can be many things: from clothing, traditions, customs, the history, and of course – the music. When we zoom in on the music culture, we see unique history and variety, yet similarity with other countries. Shared with other cultures but also entirely individual. Malaysia is one of the countries that has music so distinct, it can be recognised by the Malaysian instantly.
With so much culture that creates Malaysia, there is the gnawing question of why? Why does all these things matter? Some might say it is ‘just music’. Well, like every form of communication, music speaks to everyone through melody and rhythm. The beat, base, lyrics don’t speak like how any other language speaks. We know this. Music is what makes us similar; it makes us a part of something bigger and fosters that community, and becomes what defines us all as ‘Malaysians’ in a country of various cultures co-existing. To have a vibrant culture that surrounds our music, and having instruments hold such historical meaning and cultural significance till this modern day is truly special. No wonder why music matters to our culture.
Begging this question, let’s first look into the what before we seek the why. A part of what makes the cultural music in Malaysia is the instruments. The percussion that gives an extra thump in our chests, the kompang that brings life to traditional events such as weddings or religious events. This handheld drum represents not only our cultural heritage but also symbolises unity and respect. It fosters community spirit and cultural identity. Apart from the membranophone group of instruments like the kompang, there is beduk, which holds importance in the Islamic religion within Malaysia. It is used in Islamic rituals especially during Raya, which is the celebration at the end of the Ramadan month. Symbolising the call to prayer, the beduk gives more integrity to the Muslim people of Malaysia.
Furthermore, the instruments that make their unique noise just from their vibrations — an idiophone known as the caklempong, a set of bronze gongs that create intricate rhythms played during traditional events. An instrument meaningful to the Minangkabau, the ethnic majority of Negeri Sembilan, which serves as a symbol of Malay wisdom and a testament of how such a considerably old instrument can be fused with modern Malay culture.
There is also the angklung, made with bamboo. These bamboo tubes create the most melodic chimes. With its Indonesian and Sudanese influence, Malaysians adopted this instrument, which is used in schools, celebrations, etc. This shared cultural instrument proves the unity and close ties between the Southeast Asian countries.
Then, we have the chordophones that make tunes from the vibrations of its strings — the erhu — a Chinese fiddle that can be incorporated into Malay music as well. Brought by immigrants, the erhu brings flavour to Chinese Orchestra and blends well with operatic forms of music to even Pop music.
Coming from Indian cultural music, there is the sarod, which is fostered in Hindustani music that elevates and showcases the Indian culture within Malaysia. There is also the sape, significant to the indigenous people of Sarawak. The Orang Ulu, an indigenous group of Sarawak, uses the sape for celebratory matters, as well as for entertainment. This lute-like stringed instrument gives out calming melodies that soothes the heart and reaffirms the Malaysian Identity, it also stays relevant with the electric sape, proving that the new technology can embrace the traditional.
Arguably, the most well-known form of tradition when in conversation about Malaysian music, is the Gamelan ensemble. Performed frequently from the 19th century till now, Gamelan is a perfect example of the oneness of our people. The enchanting group of instruments playing together, stringed together by the gong agong, gong sawokan, the xylophone, kenong, saron pekin, saron baron I and II, gendang ibu and gendang anak, they all blend together to create a captivating harmonious melody that can be grouped with dance during many different cultural occasions.
There are so many instruments that make the signature Malay sound. Now, the begging question of why continues gnaws at us. Tradition can be forgotten due to many factors: globalisation, colonisation, and beyond. What stands out as a cause for the forgotten art of traditional Malay music, is westernisation.
It is no doubt that the West has undeniably influenced us throughout the years. Our consumption of Western media, especially now with social media being so prevalent in our lives, points our music industry to the sounds that the Western market popularises. Thus, the classic and traditional can be easily lost amongst the sea of current trends. The melodies, thumps, and rumbles of Malaysian traditional sounds fall victim to more modern ways of music production and sound engineering. To simply put, it is more important than ever for us to preserve these traditional sounds. To remember what makes the music that makes our culture, with all extraordinary instruments special to us as Malaysians.
These instruments, harmonies, melodies and history born from different states of Malaysia are living proof of our rich culture. More importantly, they serve as a spiritual bridge, a connection that unites all Malaysians - Malay, Indian, Chinese, and more - this beautiful reverence of cultural heritage.
Writer: Hayatun Syamilah
Editor: Khor Sue Ann
1/10/25
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