Saluang



The saluang is a traditional musical instrument of the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, Indonesia.
It is similar to the flute in general and made of bamboo. It is related to the suling of other parts of Indonesia.
It is made of thin bamboo or "talang", with 4 hole. Saluang more simple than other kind of flute because it is made just adding 4 holes and finish. The dimension of saluang is 3–4 cm in diameter and 40–60 cm in length. It is related to the suling of other parts of Indonesia.
Saluang player can play that music instrument without interrupting for taking breath from start to end of song. They have developed special breathing technique in blowing that instrument without pausing for breath.
Minangkabau people believe that talang which is collected from rack of clothes dryer or found drifting in the river is a good material for making saluang. Traditionally Minangkabau people also use talang as a container for sticky rice food and as horizontal rack for drying clothes under sunlight.
One famous saluang player is Idris Sutan Sati with saluang female singer Syamsimar. Today, it is not so easy to find classic saluang cassette even in original place of saluang.
Style of saluang tune for example : Singgalang, Pariaman, Koto Tuo, Ratok Solok, Cupak, Salayo and Pauah. Singgalang style is quite difficult for the beginners. High skilled saluang player can play many styles and audience can request any style to them.
In the past, Minangkabau people believed that saluang player have pitunang or magic power for hypnotizing the audience. That mantra called as Pitunang Nabi Daud