Kompang Jidor: The Rhythm of the Nusantara
By Izzuddin Ramli
November 2022 FEATURE
ALMOST EVERY WEEK in Kampung Parit Madirono, Pontian, Johor, a group of 12 men congregate in a balai raya or a surau. Donning baju Melayu and samping cloth, they sit in a circle, each holding a kompang (a single-headed frame drum). At the centre, a man sits with a jidor (a large double-headed cylindrical drum), ready with a drum mallet in hand. Two to three copies of Arabic scripted kitab (book) are laid open on wooden rehals (book stands) fronting...
Izzuddin Ramli
edits Penang Institute’s Suara Nadi
and finds himself speaking to writers, researchers, and cultural activists in Bual Nusantara, a podcast channel maintained by the Institute.
