When people think of traditional Indonesian music, Gamelan is usually what comes to mind. Its metallic sounds and hypnotic rhythms are iconic, especially in Java and Bali. But Indonesia’s musical world goes much further. Spread across thousands of islands, the country is home to an incredible variety of instruments, each linked to local cultures, ceremonies, and beliefs. These instruments are not just for making music. They’re part of daily life, connected to nature, spirituality, and the identity of entire communities.
The Sasando from Rote Island
Traditionally, the Sasando is played during family events, village gatherings, or as part of storytelling. Some locals believe its music brings peace and comfort. Making a Sasando is an art in itself. Craftsmen must choose the right bamboo, shape the palm leaves carefully, and tune each string by ear. The whole process is done by hand, passed down from one generation to the next.
The Tifa: Drum of the East
In Papua and the Maluku Islands, the Tifa is an essential part of traditional music. It’s a hand drum made from a hollowed-out log, usually with carvings on the outside and animal skin stretched across one end. Its deep, earthy sound accompanies dances, rituals, and festivals.
Among the Asmat people of Papua, the Tifa is more than an instrument. It’s believed to have spiritual power. The carvings often tell stories or represent ancestors. There are also rules around who can make and play it. In some communities, only certain families are allowed to carve Tifa drums, and they are treated with a kind of respect usually reserved for sacred objects. Playing the Tifa is part of connecting with ancestors, and its rhythms are considered messages between the human and spirit worlds.
Angklung: The bamboo instrument of harmony
The Angklung, originally from West Java, is made from bamboo tubes that are cut to produce specific notes when shaken. Each instrument only plays one or two notes, so musicians have to work together to create melodies. This makes the Angklung a symbol of unity and cooperation. It’s often used in schools and official ceremonies across the country.
In 2010, UNESCO recognized the Angklung as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. It’s easy to learn, but playing it well as a group takes real focus and teamwork. Artists sometimes decorate the bamboo with bright colors or traditional patterns, and the performances often include movement and costumes, making it as visual as it is musical.
Kolintang from North Sulawesi
In North Sulawesi, among the Minahasa people, there’s an instrument called the Kolintang. It looks like a xylophone and is made from light, resonant wood. Its sound is soft and melodic, and it used to be played mainly during funerals or rituals honoring ancestors. People believed its sound could help guide the spirits of the dead.
Nowadays, the Kolintang is used in churches and music schools, and its music has been adapted to fit modern styles. Still, traditional Kolintang-making is very much alive. Craftsmen choose specific types of wood and tune each piece by hand. Some also carve the frames with decorative patterns, turning each instrument into a unique object that reflects the region’s culture.
More than music: Sound, spirit, and daily life
In many parts of Indonesia, music isn’t just something you listen to. It’s woven into everyday life. Instruments are often made and played as part of rituals. Some are blessed before being played, while others are treated with the same care as sacred relics. For example, certain gongs in Balinese temples are only played at special ceremonies, and must be kept in silence the rest of the time. If an instrument is broken, some communities believe it should be buried with respect.
These instruments also mark key moments in life: birth, adulthood, marriage, and death. They accompany dances, help tell stories, and bring people together. Their sounds carry memories, emotions, and traditions.
A new life for old sounds
With so many modern distractions, traditional music in Indonesia has sometimes struggled to survive. But in recent years, people have started to rediscover it. Musicians, teachers, and even the government are working to protect and promote these instruments. In Java, huge Angklung concerts are organized where thousands of people play together. In Papua, elders teach young people how to carve and play the Tifa. In Rote, workshops on making Sasando are open to visitors.
Some artists even mix traditional instruments with modern styles, creating music that feels new but stays connected to its roots. The Kolintang, for example, is sometimes used in pop or jazz. These crossovers help traditional music reach younger audiences, both in Indonesia and abroad.
There are also projects to document and record these instruments before the knowledge disappears. Videos, online archives, and community centers help preserve not only the music, but also the stories, rituals, and meanings behind it.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s traditional instruments are much more than musical tools. They’re the result of centuries of creativity, spirituality, and shared knowledge. Whether made of bamboo, wood, or animal skin, each one carries a piece of local history. Listening to them is a way of hearing not just sound, but the voices of people, the spirit of the land, and the rhythm of life itself.