The Transmission and Impact of the Hadhrami and Persian ... - Rihlah

More documents

Recommendations

Info

An instrument of this kind has also been found in Sulawesi but it has 6 double-strung strings. A specimen of this type of gambus from Sulawesi, shown in Plate (ix), was also found in the Musée de l’Homme in France. 38 Plate (ix) Gambusu Musée de l’Homme (France) Evidence pointing towards the contribution of the Muslims from Persia and Arabia in the transmission of the Hadhrami/Persian lute-type instruments to the Malay Archipelago is substantial and conclusive. The use of terms such as: Hadhramaut, Yemen, gambus, zapin, sharah, samra, marwas, Arab, and Hijaz, could be plausible admission of Hadhrami influences and transmission of lute instruments from Yemen rather than Persia. 39 With the Islamization of the Malay Archipelago in the 15th century, many Muslim Arab traders established strong trade links with these areas. However, I have not come across the word “qanbus” in any primary text, although the word “barbat” has been used frequently to describe the Persian lute. There is also concrete historical evidence that supports the presence 38 I am grateful to Lucie Rault at Musée de l’Homme (France) who made all the necessary arrangements for me to make a detailed study of the instrument. This instrument was labelled as “gambusu” from Sulawesi, in Indonesia. 18
of “Parsi” (Persian) influence in alam melayu. However, whether it was direct or indirect, Persian influence on Malay culture has been particularly strong, especially on the Malay royal courts. Thus, the argument that the Persian lute come to alam melayu cannot be dismissed altogether. 40 My argument points to the fact that both types of gambus were already highly developed when introduced into the Malay Archipelago. There is no evidence of “similar” or “primitive” types of lute found that could point to the gambus being indigenous to alam melayu. 41 The gambus may have developed over the centuries in alam melayu. However, the striking resemblance to qanbus or barbat supports the theory that it was an “imported” instrument rather than being indigenous to alam melayu, albeit now modified and adapted. Plate (x) is a photograph of the qanbus from Yemen. 42 39 See Poche (1984) and Kunst (1952/1994). Plate (x) Qanbus (Yemen) 40 Mohd. Taib Osman mentions the Persian influence on the culture of the Malays has been particularly strong especially on the Malay royal courts. Malay court ceremonies, the title “Shah” for the sultans or rulers, literature and ideas on statescraft and kingship, the literary style of court literature, and religious literature of Shi’ite tradition, all bear indelible marks of Persian influence (1988: 267). Also refer to G.E. Marrison, “Persian Influences on Malay Life”, Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, XXVIII (1955:80). G.W.J. Drewes comments that the Persian influence seems to exist alongside the Arabian influences in the Malay Archipelago in an article “New Light on the Coming of Islam to Indonesia” (1985:7-9). 41 The musicians and scholars I spoke to in Indonesia, (S.Berrain), Malaysia, (Professor. Mohd. Anis) and Brunei, (Haji Nayan bin Apong) seem to agree that the gambus Melayu originated from alam melayu (Malay World). 42 I am indebted to Dr. Nizar Ghanem and Dr. Jean Lambert for the use of this photograph. 19
Page 1 and 2: The Transmission and Impact of the
Page 3 and 4: called qabus, turbi, or tarab in Ye
Page 5 and 6: Plate (iii) [a] Sassanian Lute (bar
Page 7 and 8: The arrival of the gambus-type inst
Page 9 and 10: Alatas supports the hypothesis that
Page 11 and 12: One cannot doubt the possibility of
Page 13 and 14: Even today music plays a significan
Page 15 and 16: The evidence of Hadhrami cultural l
Page 17: As both the gambus Melayu and gambu
Page 21 and 22: Coope, A.E. (1991). Malay-English/E
Page 23: Aldo, Ricci. (2002). The Travels of

The Transmission and Impact of the Hadhrami and Persian ... - Rihlah

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?