What is our role in guarding it? – Chaka Music Production

Music is not just a series of tones and rhythm – he is a mirror of the history, value, and identity of a nation. Each clink of traditional musical instruments, every poem of folk songs, and every rhythm of the region carries a long trail of cultural journey that has been passed down across generations. However, in the midst of the current globalization and penetration of popular culture, traditional music is slowly marginalized. Then, what is our role in maintaining music as a cultural identity?

Music as a cultural representation

Traditional music reflects the values, perspectives of life, even the local community belief system. For example, gamelan in Java is not only the accompaniment of ceremonial music, but also part of spirituality and philosophy of life of its people. Likewise with Batak Gondang, Sasando from NTT, or Talempong from Minangkabau – all of which have a deep symbolic meaning.

Through music, we can understand how a community interacts, celebrate life, even convey social criticism. Music is a universal language, but with a typical accent of every tribe, region, and culture.

Threats encountered

Unfortunately, the charm of local music is increasingly eroded by the dominance of outside culture. The younger generation is more familiar with K-Pop songs, EDM, or Western music compared to traditional music from their own region. Many traditional musical instruments are no longer actively played, and some are almost extinct because there is no regeneration of the players.

Lack of documentation, lack of performance space, and low appreciation of the community also exacerbated this condition. Without serious attention, we can lose its priceless inheritance.

Our role in maintaining traditional music

Maintaining music as a cultural identity is not only the task of artists or government, but the collective responsibility of the whole community. Some concrete steps we can do include:

1. Appreciate and introduce traditional music
   Start from the smallest environment – family and school. Introduce children to traditional music from an early age, invite them to watch local cultural performances, and introduce the story behind regional songs.
2. Collaboration between traditional and modern music
   Young artists can present traditional music in modern packaging, creating cross -genre collaboration that still maintains cultural roots. This can be a bridge between the past and the present, between local values ​​and global tastes.
3. Using social media and technology
   Documentation and promotion of traditional music through digital platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, or Tiktok can expand the range of audiences, especially young people who are familiar with technology.
4. Supports local arts and artists
   Attend local art performances, buy their work, and spread the beauty of culture through inspiring stories or content.
5. Advocacy and Cultural Education
   Encourage government policies to include local cultural arts lessons more intensively in schools and support traditional music revitalization programs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngjckotezv4

Music is the pulse of the pulse of a culture. It grows with the community, reflects the collective spirit, and stores social memory. If we are ignorant, traditional music will only be an artifact on display in the museum. But if we care, it will continue to live, develop, and root strongly as the nation’s identity.

Let’s take care of our traditional music, not only for nostalgia, but as a form of love and responsibility for cultural heritage that has shaped who we are today.