Nowhere else in Indonesia is such a general fenunciation of native traditions to be found as here, on these Christianized islands. Relicas of the ancient culture only exist, sporadically, with the result that in' this whole area the musical instruments used are practically the same. In the islands of the northern Moluccas - Ternate, Halmaheira, Batjan and Tidore - instruments are known which were spread by islam, and which we have already referred to in the section on Sumatra above.

On the Moluccas there are also to be found goblet-shaped drums, imported gongs, one-stringed lutes played with the how, as well as barn boo zithers.

The Kei islands, situated in the south-east, are musically the least impoverished. The songs there are constructed diatonically, and sung in various metres - even up to five-quarter: and are particularly-, attractive.

In complete contrast to the poverty of the Moluccas, the group of islands to the cast of Java can boast of great musical wealth. The first of these islands, Bali, will be dealt with separately; it has also exercised a great influence upon the neighboring island of Lombok. On Sumbawa there are, in addition to influences from Java, also instruments that were introduced with Islam. One may note the fine violins, built in the pitch of violas.

The island of Flores occupies a very special place. The various tribes settled here display individual characteristics both in their musical instruments and in their, singing.

Please access this web site for more Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Bandung, Surabaya and all Indonesia Hotels bali-lombok-yogyakarta-jakarta-hotels.com - and Indonesian Holidays Information, hotels and travel reservation indonesia-hotels-travel-holidays.com