Sasando

Sasando is one of Indonesian traditional stringed musical instrument. This musical instrument comes from Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara. According to the origin of the name Sasando come from the local language Rote, Sasandu, which means tools that vibrate or beep. Sasando purportedly used in the community Rote since the 7th century. Sasando shape similarity with other stringed instruments such as guitar, violin and harp.

The main part of long tubular sasando commonly made of bamboo. Then in the middle, from top to bottom circular given lump-lump where the strings that stretched across the tube, from the top to bottom rests. The wedge gives different tone to each passage strings. Then the tube was placed sasando in a container made from a kind of woven palm leaves made out like a fan. This container is a resonance sasando.

How to play sasando is plucked like a guitar. But sasando not have chord (key) and the strings should be picked up with two hands, so it is more like a harp. Until now almost all of the materials used to make sasando is original material, except the strings.

In fact, not many people are able to play this instrument. Old people are always proud to play sasando for their children or in traditional ceremonies, complete with Tilangga hats, clothing and traditional dances. Meanwhile, the younger generation in West Nusa Tenggara is not much interested to learn this instrument.