Unesco to Declare Angklung World Intangible Heritage

Bandung, West Java - Unesco will declare Angklung, the traditional music instrument made of bamboo from West Java, a "World Intangible Heritage" in November, an Indonesian official said. "God willing, either in November or December this year, Angklung will be confirmed by Unesco as a World Intangible Heritage," Arief Rahman, chairman of the Indonesian National Committee for Unesco, said here on Monday. Speaking to reporters at the Pakuan building, Arief Rahman said following the confirmation of Angklung by Unesco as one of World Intangible Heritage, no other country could lay a cultural claim to it. "If Malaysia, for instance, wants to make their own Angklung, they can but they must know where it originated," Arief Rahman said. He said besides Angklung, other cultural creations from Indonesia such as the Saman dance and traditionally woven fabrics would hopefully also be recognized as world cultural heritages. "We are also making every effort to have the Saman dance and certain traditionally woven fabrics confirmed by Unesco as World Intangible Heritage items," Arief said. Earlier, Malaysia had claimed Angklung as being a music instrument originating in that country. Angklung is a musical instrument made of two bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. The tubes are carved in such a way that they produce a resonant pitch when struck. The two tubes are tuned to certain octaves. The base of the frame is held with one hand while the other hand shakes the instrument rapidly from side to side. This causes a rapidly repeating note to sound. Thus each of three or more Angklung performers in an ensemble will play just one note and together complete melodies are produced. Angklung is popular throughout Southeast Asia, but originated from Indonesia and it has been used and played by the Sundanese since ancient times. (Uu.O001/HAJM/F001/P003)

Courtesy: Antaranws.com