This article was downloaded by: [UQ Library]On: 24 November 2014, At: 06:35Publisher: RoutledgeInforma Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: MortimerHouse, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK

Indonesia Circle. School of Oriental & AfricanStudies. NewsletterPublication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information:http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cimw19

A report on a Sumatran folk performing art: TheRandaiRahmah Bujang aa University of Malaya ,Published online: 01 Aug 2007.

To cite this article: Rahmah Bujang (1980) A report on a Sumatran folk performing art: The Randai , Indonesia Circle.School of Oriental & African Studies. Newsletter, 8:22, 79-80, DOI: 10.1080/03062848008723793

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03062848008723793

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE

Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”)contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensorsmake no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for anypurpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and viewsof the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Contentshould not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylorand Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses,damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connectionwith, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content.

This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematicreproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in anyform to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions

79

IC No. 22 Jun 80

SHORT NOTES

A REPORT ON A SUMATRAN FOLK PERFORMING ART: THE RANDAI1

Randal is a type of folk performing art widely known in Sumatra,especially in Minangkabau (West Sumatra), Jambi, and Riau. It has alsospread to the state of Negeri Sembilan in Malaysia where the MinangkabauAdat "Pevpateh is practised.

A vandal performance

A vandal performance opens with a short introduction by a member ofthe cast, who announces the name of the story to be enacted followed by arough outline of the plot. There is no need to introduce the actors forthey are members of the community and therefore familiar to the audience.The introduction is followed by a dance number accompanied by a popularsong. Only then does the vandal proper begin. A performance usuallyentails the participation of three main characters - a villainous king, ayoung damsel in distress, and a princely hero - and a supporting cast ofwarriors of the king, parents of the heroine, and clowns. A complete vandalcast could number anything between 20 and 30, including musicians anddancers.

The vandai proper is divided into five categories: story-telling orthe kaba Minangkabauj comic interlude; Qoget dance; music; and songs.These categories are intermixed in a potpourri in any one complete per-formance. A dance number may, however, serve as an intermission 'betweentwo acts, though more often than not it is there to signify the passing oftime in the story. Between the five categories of performance one candistinguish three styles of acting: story style, comic style, and song,dance, and music style again forming a complete whole. Within a completeshow of five hours one would be entertained with two to three hours ofstory style, one to two hours of comic style, and one hour of music, dance,and song.

Main features of vandal

Randal is performed and participated in by whole villages, the actingbeing mainly the province of the menfolk - a feature stemming from theIslamic constraints on village social life. The actors' costumes are theeveryday attire of the villagers regardless of whether they are performinga Minangkabau kaba (traditional story), a romantic tale from the localliterary repertoire, a clowning session, or a dance number accompanied bymusic and singing - elements which are usually all included in the potpourriof a vandal performance. The language of vandal is Minangkabau withadaptations into Indonesian or local Malay dialects. Performances arecarried out at night between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. in open arenas (any openspaces of approximately 20 by 30 metres) with basic lighting and a fewmusical instruments, such as violin, local drums (gendang), and trumpet.Performances are occasioned by any social function calling for merry-making,such as a wedding, an anniversary celebration, or the appointment of a newvillage chieftain. Randai is at all times an entertainment, but with aneducative function, and often expressing critical views on local socialissues.

Dow

nloa

ded

by [

UQ

Lib

rary

] at

06:

35 2

4 N

ovem

ber

2014

80

IC No. 22 Jun 80

The reper toi re of vandai includes such s to r ies as Siti Zvbaidah3 BusangPaman (son of Putr i Bongsu), Rajo Unggeh Layang3 Sikum (the t r a i t o r whoplot ted with the .Dutch), Sutan Nan Garctng, Si Unbuilt Mudo, and Cindua Uato3to mention only a, few.

University of Malaya Rahmah Bujang

NOTE

1. This report is attributable mainly to a full-time Master's candidateunder my supervision. He is U.U. Hamidy, a lecturer at UniversitasNegeri Riau, who is currently completing his Master's thesis with theDepartment of Malay Studies, University of Malaya. The thesis whencompleted will be entitled Randai dalam kehidupan Melayu Riau.

ARTHUR PROBSTHAINORIENTAL BOOKSELLER & PUBLISHER

BOOKS ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE

COUNTRIES OF SOUTHEAST ASIA,

INCLUDING LANGUAGE

41 GREAT RUSSELL STREETLONDON WCIB 3PHTEL: 01-636 1096

Dow

nloa

ded

by [

UQ

Lib

rary

] at

06:

35 2

4 N

ovem

ber

2014