Guidelines for Preserving Mon Music in Mottama Town, Mon State, Myanma
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This research aimed to: 1) study the history, traits, and elements of the Mon music performed in Mottama Town in the Mon State of Myanmar and 2) propose guidelines to preserve this type of music. The study employed a qualitative design. The researchers collected the data by using in-depth interviews and observational techniques. The collected data was analyzed and presented in descriptive form.
The study revealed:
1. The musical band which performs Mon music in Mottama town was established by the Mon Cultural Center in 1990 to 1992. Mon music is divided into five groups : 1) percussion instruments made from metal and wood, 2) percussion instruments made from animal skin, 3) woodwind instruments, 4) string instruments, and 5) other percussion instruments. There are five kinds of Mon songs: 1) royal songs, 2) religious songs, 3) love songs, 4) songs about beliefs, and 5) general songs. Mon songs and music are performed during both auspicious and inauspicious ceremonies such as entertainment events, receiving honored guests, celebrations, and also for occasions of misery. The elements of Mon music consist of the following : 1) the tuning system depends on the musical techniques, 2) the rhythm of the music controls the duration of the songs, 3) the pitch is always varying from high to low; the players must know the musical scales of each song, and 4) the form of the song is divided into parts, phrases, and sentences.
2. Guidelines to preserve the Mon music of Mottama town in the Mon State of Myanmar are that the government should provide a sufficient budget and places for the performance of Mon music. A bigger budget is needed to collect and maintain the Mon musical instruments and songs. Musicians and audiences for this type of music should be encouraged.
Article Details
The content and information published in the Phuket Rajabhat University Academic Journal represent the opinions and sole responsibility of the authors. The editorial board does not necessarily endorse or share any responsibility for these view.
Articles, data, content, images, etc., published in the Phuket Rajabhat University Academic Journal are the copyright of the Phuket Rajabhat University Academic Journal. Any individual or organization wishing to reproduce or utilize all or part of this material for any purpose must obtain prior written permission from the Phuket Rajabhat University Academic Journal.
References
Jarernchai, Chonpairot. (2014). ADAPTATION : A Natural Treatment for the Survival of Music and Performing Arts. Mahasarakham University.
Nai Htaw Ping Ensemble. (2006). Mon Music of Buma. California : University of California Riverside.
Nicolas, Arsenio Magsino. (2007). Musical Exchange in Early Southeast Asia : The Philippines and Indonesia, ca. 100 to 1600 C.E. Doctor’s Thesis, Cornell : Cornell University.
Robert, Halliday. (2000). The Mon of Burma and Thailand. Bangkok : Bangkok White Lotus Prese.
Sarrazin, Natalie Rose. (2003). Singing in Tejaji’s Temple : Miusic and Ritual Trance HealingPerformance in Rajas Than. Doctor’s Thesis, Maryland : University of Maryland, College Park.
Saisunee Khowpum, (2000). Ram pee mon in Patumtani. Master. Fine Arts Ethnomusicology. Gradute School. Srinakharinwirnwirot university. Prasarnmit Campus.
Yang, Minkang. (2002). “A Study of the Music Traditional and its Contemporary Change of the Theravada Buddhist Festival Ritual Performance of Dai Ethnic Nationality in Yunnan,” Dissertation Abstrcats International. Doctor’s Thesis, Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong.
