Rabab Pasisia, The Lost of Art Traditional

A rabab handyman playing Rabab Pasisia.
(Photo by AchiyaK Deni)

One of the traditional arts in Pesisir Selatan District is barabab. In this article will tell about art of Rabab Pasisia is quite famous in Minangkabau. This article was sourced from twitter @Pessel_Tourism, was uploaded and stored through Chirpstory on Saturday (01/12/2013). 

Rabab is a Minangkabau traditional instrument, a stringed instrument like a violin. In its development, the public knew her name Rabab Darek from land area of Minangkabau as Bukittinggi, Batusangkar and Payakumbuh, Rabab Piaman from Pariaman and Rabab Pasisia from Pesisir Selatan. As a kind of modern rabab, traditions of Rabab Piaman and Rabab Pasisia much more famous in Minang people's lives.
 
Activity plays rabab is called barabab. In this art there is the story told to the audience, accompanied by the music of rabab. Usually the stories that are told are anak nagari story (story of society), called the kaba.
 
Barabab tradition itself is usually found in a variety of traditional events, such as weddings or removal of the datuk (indigenous leader in Minangkabau). In addition, later stories in rabab also widely recorded in the form of cassettes and VCDs, which can be purchased by the public.
 
Rabab Pasisia formerly much more to tell the old kaba, like Kaba Malin Deman, Kaba Cindua Mato, and others. However, later expanded with new stories. Among these are Lamang Tanjung Ampalu and Carito Zamzani jo Marlaini work of Syamsuddin.
 
Here is the opening poem in Rabab Pasisia work of Syamsuddin entitled Carito Zamzani jo Marlaini:
"Anak urang dari Salido, (Son of man Salido) 
ka pasa juo pagi ari, (go to market in the morning)
pulang manjalang ari patang. (come home late in the afternoon)
Kok ado namo nan sarupo, (If anyone of the same name)
usah dibaok masuak hati, (do not put in the heart)
tolonglah buang ka balakang." (please forgotten)

Pirin Asmara, one of the legend of Rabab Pasisia.
(Photo by Rasef Sampono)

In addition to the kaba of Rabab Pasisia work of Syamsuddin, there are stories of Puti Gondoriah, Abidin jo Bainar and Marantau ka Malaysia work of Pirin Asmara. Rabab handyman this one is one famous of the Pesisir Selatan District. Unfortunately, he died and to this day continues to be a legend of Rabab Pasisia. His talent was continued by his son, Pirin Ketek.
 
Nowadays, it's rare to find a rabab handyman good in barabab, such as Pirin Asmara. Especially playing Rabab Pasisia bit difficult compared to playing Minang traditional musical instruments other. In addition, the interest of the youth in the Pesisir Selatan District to preserve the art and culture is very less. There is a story about the lives of Rabab Pasisia handyman in maintaining traditional arts, can be read here. 

Erman, playing Rabab Pasisia in front of the restaurant in Padang Panjang.
(Photo by Sunaryo Adhiatmoko)

To listen to the traditional art of Rabab Pasisia from Pesisir Selatan District this online, can be seen here. Here's one of them. 

(Video by Naflahs)