Batak Music

Sumatra, the second largest island of Indonesia, is home to many ethnic groups including the Batak. This album presents informal music from the Toba Batak group around Lake Toba in North Sumatra. Their folk music features interlocking polyrhythms of percussion instruments and melodies performed on flutes, kecapi (lute), and the double-reed sarune. Songs feature solo sections showcasing the individual instruments, which are introduced in the first track. Liner notes include some background on the music culture and a transcript of the brief song introductions.

Track Listing

101	Introduction with Examples of the Instruments	Tihang Gultom Group, Guru Tihang, leader	01:00
102	The Song of the Babysitter - Lullaby	Tihang Gultom Group, Guru Tihang, leader	06:18
103	The Eye Opener	Tihang Gultom Group, Guru Tihang, leader	04:35
104	Song of the Ugly One	Tihang Gultom Group, Guru Tihang, leader	03:17
201	Do Not Put Bané Bané Flowers in Your Hair	Tihang Gultom Group, Guru Tihang, leader	04:46
202	Don’t Get Gossiped about (By People)	Tihang Gultom Group, Guru Tihang, leader	03:01
203	I Am Bone Tired	Tihang Gultom Group, Guru Tihang, leader	02:52
204	O Aek Sarula	A.W.K. Samosir, Edison Sirait, and Jamotang Situmorang	06:20