Satuni, a Kacaping Towaine player, and her possible successor in West Sulawesi, Indonesia

Authors

  • Desti Kurniasari, Kun Setyaning Astuti

Abstract

This article reports on the findings of a qualitative research employing a life-history method to describe the life of Satuni, a Pakkacaping Towaine (a traditional lute player) and her possible successor. The data were collected through a literature review, observation, interview, and documentation. They were then analysed in three steps: reducing the data, presenting the data, and drawing conclusions. The results show that Satuni first started to learn to play Kacaping Towaine (a traditional lute) at a young age with the help of her eldest brother, Yasi, who had been a proficient player at the time. Satuni has been playing the instrument as her livelihood since she was eight or nine years old. Although learning this traditional music is not easy considering its spontaneous lyrics that are written in classical Mandar language, she eventually managed to master and preserve it until today. This is remarkable considering the fact that being a Pakkacaping Towaine is no longer considered a promising livelihood because of the decreasing interest of the community in this art.

Keywords- Satuni; Pakkacaping Towaine; Successor

Published

2021-04-04

Issue

Section

Articles