Gambang Kromong is a Betawi cultural art that is still being preserved today. This art is often played at official events and people's parties. let's discuss where this art actually comes from.
The name Gambang Kromong is taken from the names of two percussion instruments, namely Gambang and Kromong. The beginning of the formation of the Gambang Kromong orchestra was inseparable from a Chinese community leader who was appointed by the Dutch (Capitan Cina) named Nie Hoe Kong (term of office 1736-1740)
In the 17th century, many Chinese immigrants came to Tanah Betawi and they introduced this art to the public, namely a Chinese community leader who was appointed by the Dutch named Nie Hoe Kong introduced this art to the local community.
Initially, Gambang Kromong was played only with a stringed instrument named Tehyan, Kongahyan, and Sukong. Over time, local people's interest in this art developed, so this art developed in the Betawi community.
The term Gambang Kromong is taken from the names of two percussion or percussion instruments, namely Gambang and Kromong. xylophone musical instruments made of wood lined up as many as 18 pieces, while Kromong musical instruments made of bronze or iron, totaling 10 pieces.
The xylophone blades, numbering 18, are usually made of suangking, huru Batu, manggarawan, or other types of wood which make a soft sound when hit. Kromong is usually made of bronze or iron, totaling 10 pieces (ten pencon). The scale used in gambang kromong is the Chinese pentatonic scale, which is often called Chinese salendro or salendro mandalungan. Instruments on the Gambang Kromong consist of Gambang, Krumong, Gong, Drum, Flute, Kecrek, Sukong, Tehyan, or Kongahyan as melodies.
The Gambang Kromong Orchestra is a harmonious blend of indigenous elements and Chinese elements. Physically, Chinese elements can be seen in the stringed instruments, namely the sukong, tehyan and kongahyan. The combination of these two cultural elements can also be seen in the repertoire of his songs.
In addition to songs that show indigenous characteristics, such as Dalem (Classic) songs entitled: Centeh Manis Standing, Mas Nona, Gula Ganting, Semar Gunem, Gula Ganting, Tanjung Burung, Kula Nun Salah, and Mawar Spilled and so on, and songs - Vegetable songs (Pop) entitled: Jali-jali, Stambul, Centeh Manis, Surilang, Persi, Balo-balo, Abang Haji, Renggong Buyut, Snap Payung, Kramat Karem, Onde-onde, Gelatik Ngunguk, Lenggang Kangkung, Sirih Kuning and etc., there are also songs that are clearly Chinese in style, both song names, melodies and lyrics, such as Kong Ji Liok, Sip Pat Mo, Poa Si Li Tan, Peh Pan Tau, Cit No Sha, Ma Cun Tay, Cu Te Pan , Cay Cu Teng, Cay Cu Siu, Lo Fuk Cen, and so on.
The songs that are performed on gambang kramong music are songs that are humorous, full of joy, and sometimes ridicule or satire. The performance of the song is sung in turns between men and women as opponents.
Gambang Kromong is Betawi music that is most evenly distributed in Betawi cultural areas, both in DKI Jakarta itself and in the surrounding areas (Jabotabek). If there are more Peranakan Chinese in the local Betawi community, there are also more gambang kramong orchestra groups. In North Jakarta and West Jakarta, for example, there are more Gambang Kromong groups than in South Jakarta and East Jakarta.
