Ethnotik Gamelan Orkestra

Ethnotik is a newly formed gamelan orchestra group based on the gamelan Degung from West Java.

Most of the members of Ethnotik have worked together on and off over the last 20 years in various performance spaces. Many of the musicians come from western music backgrounds and have studied and taught traditional art forms in Indonesia and Australia for varying lengths of time. Together they bring their expertise and creative ideas to the group to produce compositions from traditional to contemporary and fusion pieces.

The gamelan used by the group is a traditional Sundanese (West Java) gamelan called Degung. Years ago, it was used in regal palace ceremonies and is still used today for important ceremonies within the community. Its name is said to come from ‘Deg Ngadeg Kanu Agung’, meaning ‘Be respectful to God’. These days, degung music is often heard in Balinese tourist spots.

The group also performs smaller ensemble styles throughout their performances, such as kacapi/suling (zither and flute) pieces and rampak kendang (group drumming with Indonesian rhythms) taking influences from contemporary genres. All members are professional musicians in their own right, and have studied western and traditional music.

The Ethnotik Orchestra invite you to be embraced by the sounds of Sudanese music and will warm you up for the very special Nan Jombang Dance performance later that evening. 

Duration: 50mins

Supported by BEMAC

PLANET is the Brisbane Powerhouse dedicated world music and dance program. This project has received financial assistance from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.