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Devotional Music From Southeast Asia
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By The IOL Art & Culture Team
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Jan.
23, 2006
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If
you have any audio files related to Islamic oral expression in Southeast Asia
(songs, prayers, poems, chants) that you would like to share with us, please
e-mail us at: artculture_egypt@yahoo.co.uk
Audio
1.
Sepohon Kayu Daunnya Rimbun
This
is a very famous Malaysian song on the importance of prayer and it belongs to an
Indonesian-Malaysian musical genre called nusantara. This genre refers to
the Malay cultural sphere of influence that covers the archipelago of modern-day
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei, and East Timor.
To
listen to the song click here.
(Source:
http://web.kelantan.gov.my/web/)
2.
Tombo Ati
This
is a very popular traditional Javanese Islamic folksong that is known throughout
the archipelago. The tune is believed to have originally been introduced by
Sunan Muria of the "Wali Songo": the nine Javan Sufi Saints who were
the first Muslim missionaries on Java. Its lyrics promote the virtues of daily
recitation of the Qur'an, the merits of Qiyyam al-Layl, being in the company of
the righteous, fasting on a regular basis, and making much remembrance of Allah
Most High (dhikr), all of which are considered to be "Remedies for
the Heart," which is the original meaning of the song title. This tune may
have been a means of introducing and socializing the creed of Islam in what was
then a predominantly Hindu society.
To
listen to Tombo Ati click here.
Please
click here to read the Javanese lyrics and their English
translation.
The munshid (singer of religious songs) is Emha Ainun Nadjib, a
well-known Muslim Javanese literati.
3.
Madh
These
Arabic nasheeds and sung praise-poems (madh) for the Prophet (peace be
upon him) are examples of the blending of Arabic and nusantara
influences. The song texts originate in the Yemeni Ba `Alawiyya mawlid
tradition, which was brought to the archipelago through Yemeni merchants,
scholars, and mystics. The music and singing style, however, are distinctly
Malay.
To
listen to examples please click here.
4.
Zapin
Zapin
is a traditional dance accompanied by music and singing. It is believed to have
been introduced in the 14th century by Muslim missionaries from the Middle East
around Yemen (then known as Hadramaut) as a means to spread the religion.
The extant dance form of zapin (known as zapin Arab today) combines Islamic
devotional chanting with body movements. The
original form of zapin (Arab) has given rise to numerous substantive forms,
collectively known as zapin Melayu. It uses the voice, gambus, violin, harmonium
and accordion. Two types of drums are also used: the marwas and the dok.
(Source:
http://www.musicmall-asia.com/malaysia/folk/zapin.html)
5.
Hadrah
Hadrah
is a type of drum ensemble used primarily as accompaniment to Islamic religious
praise singing. It consists of frame drums and a gong. The chanting is generally
associated with one of the many tariqahs (mystical paths) in Southeast Asia and
can be in Urdu, Arabic, or Malay.
(Source:
http://www.musicmall-asia.com/malaysia/folk/hadrah.html)
6.
Interview with Malaysian Annasheed group Raihan
Raihan,
one of the most popular Islamic nasheed groups in the Muslim world, released
their first album in 1997. Now, nine years later, they are recognized as
pioneers in the development and popularization of a modern nasheed genre that
combines soul-style vocal harmonies and poppy tunes with a spiritual and
didactic Islamic message. In this exclusive interview they talk about their rise
to fame and their spiritual motivation.
To
listen to the interview click here .
(Source:
http://www.meccaone.org/)
Three
of Raihan's songs in Malay:
7.
E.M. Haniffa.
Popular
Tamil munshid (singer of religious songs).
Fathima Vazthantha Murai
(Source:
http://www.angelfire.com/rings/haniffa/index.html)
8.
Qatrunada
Indonesian
Qatrunada is one of the many popular nasheed groups (merging poppy tunes, vocal
harmonies, and percussion) that were created in the wake of Raihan's success.
They have now built a considerable international fan base of their own.
Video
9.
Salaat `ala Rasul
Video
of an Arabic nasheed performed by an Indonesian munshid (singer of
religious songs) and a group of children.
To
view the video click here.
10.
Muslims in Singapore: Interview With the Minister
of Muslim Affairs
In
this exclusive interview the Singaporean Minister of Muslim Affairs, Yacoob
Ibrahim, talks to IslamOnline.net about the achievements of the Muslim minority
in Singapore and the challenges that they face, touching on community building,
political representation, and Shari`ah. To watch click here.
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