The Manhora Music of the Malaysian Siamese in Kelantan, Malaysia

Abstract

This research is a qualitative research in ethnomusicology which is aim to 1) Study the general background of the Jung Kao Village, Tumpat Sub-district, Kelantan State of Malaysia 2) Study the Manhora and its music which are; historical background, performing elements, ensemble, musical instruments, and musicians 3) transcript the Manhora music into western notation. 4) Analyze the music in ethnomusicology methods. The research results were: 1) The Jung Kao Village, Tumpat Sub-district, Kelantan State of Malaysia is bordered to the north by Takbai District, Narathiwat Province, Thailand. Today the inhabitants, a number of about 400 of population, mostly are Buddhist and still maintain their cultural heritage from Thai ancestors. 2) The essential elements of Manhora performing comprise of the theater, the troupe, and the performers. The Manhora Seang ensemble, with 16 members, comprises of 8 instruments; Serunai, Tetawak, Canang, Gerduk, Gedombuk, Gendang, Ching and Crek. The ensembleMusic is an orally transmission which have been transmitted from generation to generation since the old time until today. It is found that the music nowadays is mainly performed for healing sickness as well as for ceremonies. The music, a pentatonic toneset comprises of 8 instruments; Serunai, Tetawak, Canang, Gerduk, Gedombuk, Gendang, Ching and Crek. 3) The music is transcript into western notation which comprise totally of 6 songs: Tangkhrueang, Kashkuru, Homrong, Nhoralongduean or Ploinangram, Panthon and Chapbot. These old songs, with unknown composers, mostly are strophic form in pentatonic toneset; D, F#,G, A and Bb, and ranged in between D4 and Bb5. The melodic contour are mostly undulating with some tied notes. It is found the repetition in some tunes. Among these songs, there are 27 styles of melodic rhythm. The three main tempos; free rhythm, slow, and fast, are found among the songs which are difference in rhythmic patterns of each percussion instruments.