Angklung - Traditional Art

Angklung is a typical art of Banyuwangi. The players are 12 to 14 people. The musical instruments are made of bamboo. Angklung has four varieties; angklung caruk, angklung tetak, angklung paglak, and angklung blambangan.

Angklung Caruk
The word of “caruk” comes from the native Banyuwangi word that means “meeting”. Two groups meet and compete to play angklung together which is called angklung caruk. The groups play angklung together to show their ability and skill to one another and also to the spectators. There are usually three groups of spectators. One group is supportive to one angklung group and the other group is supportive to the second angklung group. The third group of spectators is neutral. As the result, the performance becomes very merry because of the tendencies of the supporters.

Angklung Tetak
The word tetak come from the language that means “guarding in the night”. Angklung tetak can be a tool that is used to help guard the night. Angklung tetak became famous in 1950. At its inception the Angklung tetak grew at the village of Glagah. In 1974, it was being perfected especially relating to its tone.

Angklung Paglak
Paglak is a simple hut which is built in the rice field or near a settlement. The paglak is built from bamboo and it is built about 10 meters above the land. So, if someone want to enter the hut, he must climb first to reach it. The function of this building is as a place to guard the rice paddy from the birds. Farmers usually take care of their rice paddy while playing the musical instrument of angklung in the paglak. Because of this, the art is called angklung paglak. A long time ago, before the harvest, the farmers organized angklung paglak performances.

Angklung Blambangan
Angklung Blambangan is an improvisation of angklung caruk. The musical instruments include the gong and a gandrung musical instrument.