Classical Music in Papua

Papua in Indonesia is also known as Western New Guinea, and is in the easternmost part of Indonesia. It is rich in biodiveristy as well as indigenous culture.

There are several popular instruments in Papua. However, due to modernization and a lack of interest by the younger generation, the popularity of these instruments have been threatened.

1) The Tifa

The Tifa instrument is similar to a drum, and is also played by hitting it. The Tifa is also known to be the symbol of the Papuan people. It is interestingly made of deer skin, hollowed wood, as well as the cerumen of bees to to tune the drum.















There are many variations, including the Tifa Jekir, Basic Tifa, Tifa Cut, Tifa Potong and Jefir Tika Bas. The Tifa is very commonly used to accompany war dances as well as traditional dances of the region.

2) Triton

Triton is also an instrument used in Papua, but instead of being beaten, the Triton is blown. The Triton was in actual fact used as an instrument for communication or as a call, and then developed into being used as a musical instrument.

3) Pikon

The pikon is a traditional musical instrument made out of wood skin, and just like the triton, is played by being blown. It produces a kind of tune that one would describe as soothing.

It is made out of a type of bamboo. One would play this instrument by blowing and pulling a rod, and the instrument produces only three basic notes, do, mi and sol. Pikon is described as instrument that is rather difficult to play, hence is only played by Papuans who have special skills in using the instrument.