KA GA NGA Ethnic Music

The Sound of Bukit Barisan

Inspired by Rejung sung poetry, solo guitar traditions, sacred chants, and the Kejei ceremonial dance, the composition weaves together the sounds and stories that have shaped Rejang cultural identity. More than a musical performance, The Sound of Bukit Barisan celebrates the living heritage of the Bukit Barisan landscape, where oral tradition continues to inspire creativity, memory, and cultural resilience.

Catalog

Album & Single

Our journey from tradition to modern experimentation. Every release is a new chapter in our audio narrative.

SVARA BUMEI

THE SOUND OF BUKIT BARISAN

TRILOGY

This work represents a history of Rejang Lebong Regency, home to the Rejang people the oldest ethnic group in Bengkulu Province. It serves as a symbolic expression stemming from an observational journey exploring ideas around cultural dialogue. Many stories of the Rejang people remain untold, preserved through history, folklore, traditional music, and oral literature as they navigate the shifting tides of social, political, and cultural change.

Svara, meaning "sound" in Sanskrit, and Bumei, meaning "earth" or "land" in the Rejang language, form the conceptual foundation for this musical expression. Drawing from traditional Rejang soundscapes including the folklore of Lalan Belek, the music of the Kejai dance (Kecitang), and the oral literature of Berejung this piece stands as a musical expression honoring the enduring existence of traditional Rejang arts.

The Sound of Bukit Barisan is an original composition inspired by the oral traditions of the Rejang people, whose ancestral homeland lies along the Bukit Barisan mountain range in Sumatra. The piece explores the cultural journey of Rejang traditions from the highlands to the western coast of Bengkulu, reflecting how music, language, and local wisdom have evolved through generations. Inspired by Rejung sung poetry, solo guitar traditions, sacred chants, and the Kejei ceremonial dance, the composition weaves together the sounds and stories that have shaped Rejang cultural identity. More than a musical performance, The Sound of Bukit Barisan celebrates the living heritage of the Bukit Barisan landscape, where oral tradition continues to inspire creativity, memory, and cultural resilience

Trilogy is an original composition inspired by Tari Persembahan, the ceremonial welcoming dance of Bengkulu. The work reinterprets the musical traditions of three iconic dances Andun from South Bengkulu, Kejei from the Rejang Highlands, and Gandai from Mukomuko which together shaped the identity of Bengkulu's ceremonial dance. Rather than simply combining these traditions, Trilogy reimagines their musical essence through contemporary composition while honoring their cultural roots. Inspired by the oral traditions, rhythms, and ceremonial expressions passed down across generations, the piece reflects the continuous evolution of Bengkulu's living heritage. As a "third generation" interpretation, Trilogy celebrates how tradition can be renewed through creativity, allowing ancestral voices to remain relevant for today's audiences while preserving the spirit of collective memory and cultural identity.

Inok, meaning Mother in the Rejang language, is an original composition inspired by the Rejung oral tradition of the Rejang people of Bengkulu, Indonesia. Rejung is a traditional form of sung poetry that expresses emotions, wisdom, and moral values through verses accompanied by a single acoustic guitar. This piece reflects the deep love and longing for a mother, whose advice often becomes truly meaningful as we grow older. Inok honors the voice of mothers as the first teachers of life, reminding us that their words continue to guide us through every stage of our journey.

INOK

Stage Experience

Listen to the Complete Track

Connect with Our Audio

Explore our full catalog and immerse yourself in an unparalleled audio experience.