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Samalindang: Traditional Song and Dance from Brunei Darussalam

Certain types of music have the power to relax the body and mind. When you listen to samalindang played with traditional Bruneian instruments, you can feel yourself begin to drift away, as if you are floating among the misty clouds of the country’s lush tropical rain forests. Samalindang began as music to accompany the fan dance which was presented at the palace. Performed mainly by young women and complimented by a symphony of instruments, this graceful and elegant dance and music are meant to represent unity as well as harmony.
Among the instruments of Brunei Darusalam’s Asia Traditional Orchestra are the gulintangan and gambus. The gulintangan is a metallic percussion instrument that includes eight small metal balls inside. It is played with wooden sticks, which fill the room with distinctive, gentle melodies. The gambus is similar to a lute found across the Malay region, which looks like a guitar. Played together like an orchestra, they frequently serve as an accompaniment to songs and dances at banquets.

If you’re curious about Brunei Darusalam’s traditional samalindang music and its panoply of musical tools, scan the QR code below to learn more. It directs to a video on the KF ASEAN Culture House’s YouTube channel.

KF ASEAN CULTURE HOUSE YouTube