Kolintang: Indonesia’s Melodic Heritage

Derived from the sounds it produces, Kolintang is one of Indonesia’s famous traditional instruments, originating from Minahasa, North Sulawesi. This musical instrument is made out of wooden pieces and is played with sticks.

A folktale tells the story of Kolintang’s origin, involving a young wood carver named Makasiga, who was in love with a girl named Lintang, known for her exceptional singing voice. After proposing to Lintang, she challenged Makasiga, saying that if he could find a musical instrument with melodies more beautiful than her voice, she would agree to marry him.

Determined, Makasiga ventured into the forest in search of this instrument. One cold night, he split some wood to heat himself from the cold, but as the wood dried and he tossed the pieces aside, he was surprised to hear melodious sounds. Intrigued, he used his skills to craft a musical instrument from those wooden pieces, thus creating the Kolintang.

Kolintang consists of 6 to 12 wooden pieces arranged by size on a wooden base that acts as a resonator. Each piece produces different tones depending on its length. Kolintang also consists of other types, completing its ensemble with: melody, cello, bass, tenor, and alto.

In the past, Kolintang was used primarily in religious and cultural ceremonies. Today, it is often played during celebratory occasions and events such as weddings, parties, festivals, and performances to welcome guests.

As the world continues to evolve, Kolintang has maintained its relevance, especially among traditional instruments. Some musicians have preserved the legacy of Kolintang by incorporating it into performances with pop and modern songs. Like many other cultural treasures in Indonesia, we must strive to preserve the musical heritage of Kolintang, honoring both its innovation and its cultural significance. Through these efforts, we strengthen our connection to the rich traditions of our country.

References:

A, R. (2023, June 29). Alat Musik Kolintang: Sejarah, Pengertian, Dan Cara Memainkannya. Best Seller Gramedia. https://www.gramedia.com/best-seller/alat-musik-kolintang/?srsltid=AfmBOopHKjaq6rztys6F_JPDBuz2zf4EjQVR8WAUVIlAPVKKV4ZQuBLr#Sejarah_Alat_Musik_Kolintang

BPMP provinsi Sulawesi Utara – Kolintang. (2020, April 1). https://bpmpsulut.kemdikbud.go.id/kolintang-kesenian-tradisional-kebudayaan-sulawesi-utara/

Kolintang, Indahnya Nada Dari Minahasa. Indonesia Kaya. (2024, December 7). https://indonesiakaya.com/pustaka-indonesia/kolintang-indahnya-nada-dari-minahasa/

Raidi. (2024, November 16). Kolintang: Indonesia’s traditional music of North Sulawesi. Indonesia Sentinel. https://indonesiasentinel.com/kolintang-indonesias-traditional-music-of-north-sulawesi/