Mandoliong: An Organological Study of a Traditional Stringed Instrument in Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi

Abstract

Mandoliong is considered a traditional musical instrument found in the Bugis community, Wajo Regency South Sulawesi Indonesia. This art functions as entertainment and is performed at wedding receptions, celebrations, traditional and government activities. Mandoliong can be reviewed based on its musical organology. Discussing organology can provide information about the form, way of playing, and the life cultural of the mandalion in people's lives. Mandoliong has a distinctive musical instrument shape and is now very rare. Even a successor to the Mandoliong maker is very diffi cult to find. This raises curiosity about how to make Mandoliong for the younger generation. In the music paradigm, the science that studies the structure and function of instruments is one element of the part of music called organology. This research aims to understand the construction parts and aspects of Mandoliong music. The methods used to collect data were observation, interviews and document study. As a result, the Mandoliong is known to have originated from China where it was acculturated with other models of musical instruments. In general, the shape of a Mandoliong is divided into three parts, namely the head (ulu), body (watang), and keys (tus). The materials and tools used in making the Mandoliong musical instrument are materials that are easily available every day in the people of Wajo Regency. In terms of performance, the Mandoliong musical instrument is performed in ensemble form. The scale produced by the plucked Mandoliong musical instrument is a chromatic scale.