Bedug
Encyclopedia
The bedug is one of the drum
s used in the gamelan
. It is also used among Muslims in Java
in religious purposes.
, the bedug is suspended from a rack and played with a padded mallet. It is similar in size or larger to the largest kendang. It is not adjustable like the kendang, but has pegs holding the two identical heads in place, similar to the Japanese taiko
. Its sound is generally deeper and duller than that of the kendang.
Bedug is made as a big double-barreled drum with water buffalo
leather on both sides.
, where it takes the place of the kempul
. In some pieces it is used together with the kendang, especially to accompany dance.
Bedug also commonly used in mosque
s in Java
among Javanese and Sundanese people
to preclude the adhan
as a sign for prayer, or during Islamic festivals. For example, bedug is used to signal the end of the daylong fast during Ramadan
. When used to signal time for Friday prayer, bedug is beaten in a different way than in ordinary prayers.
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s used in the gamelan
Gamelan
A gamelan is a musical ensemble from Indonesia, typically from the islands of Bali or Java, featuring a variety of instruments such as metallophones, xylophones, drums and gongs; bamboo flutes, bowed and plucked strings. Vocalists may also be included....
. It is also used among Muslims in Java
Islam in Indonesia
Islam is the dominant religion in Indonesia, which also has a larger Muslim population than any other country in the world, with approximately 202.9 million identified as Muslim as of 2009....
in religious purposes.
Overview
Unlike the more frequently-used kendangKendang
Kendhang is a two-headed drum used by peoples from Maritime Southeast Asia....
, the bedug is suspended from a rack and played with a padded mallet. It is similar in size or larger to the largest kendang. It is not adjustable like the kendang, but has pegs holding the two identical heads in place, similar to the Japanese taiko
Taiko
means "drum" in Japanese . Outside Japan, the word is often used to refer to any of the various Japanese drums and to the relatively recent art-form of ensemble taiko drumming...
. Its sound is generally deeper and duller than that of the kendang.
Bedug is made as a big double-barreled drum with water buffalo
Water buffalo
The water buffalo is a domesticated bovid widely kept in Asia, Europe and South America.Water buffalo can also refer to:*Wild water buffalo , the wild ancestor of the domestic water buffalo...
leather on both sides.
Usage
The bedug is not used in most gamelan performances, but is used in special ensembles like the gamelan sekatenGamelan Sekaten
The Gamelan Sekaten is a ceremonial gamelan from central Java, Indonesia, played during the annual Sekaten festival. The word sekaten itself is derived from syahadatain or shahada, the first requirement for converting into Islamic faith...
, where it takes the place of the kempul
Kempul
A kempul is a type of hanging gong used in Indonesian gamelan. It is often placed with the gong suwukan and gong ageng, hanging on a single rack, at the back of the gamelan, and these instruments are often played by the same player with the same mallets...
. In some pieces it is used together with the kendang, especially to accompany dance.
Bedug also commonly used in mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
s in Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
among Javanese and Sundanese people
Sundanese people
The Sundanese are an ethnic group native to the western part of the Indonesian island of Java. They number approximately 31 million, and are the second most populous of all the nation's ethncities. The Sundanese are predominantly Muslim...
to preclude the adhan
Adhan
The adhān is the Islamic call to prayer, recited by the muezzin at prescribed times of the day. The root of the word is meaning "to permit"; another derivative of this word is , meaning "ear"....
as a sign for prayer, or during Islamic festivals. For example, bedug is used to signal the end of the daylong fast during Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
. When used to signal time for Friday prayer, bedug is beaten in a different way than in ordinary prayers.