Rapa'i is a popular traditional percussion instrument in Aceh. People believe that the name Rapa'i comes from the name of a teacher in Sufi orders from the Middle East, Rifa'iy. People also believe that this musical instrument is spreading with the spread of this Sufi order. But for those beliefs have not found the scientific foundations.
This popular instrument is played together with a show called Daboeh (Acehnese) or Debus (Melayu). Debus seems to come from an Arabic word, Dabbus, which means needle. Daboeh itself is a traditional game (a folklore) of some communities in Southeast Asia, where people show their immunity from various stabbings of sharp objects. In Aceh, this game is always accompanied by the sound of Rapa'i musical instrument that has its own rhythms. Daboeh games are also contested between one group and another. One source said that the instrument was also played during the war, probably just like Military band.
Lastly, a few nights ago, I just watched an art performance using this percussion instrument. Rapa'i, this time, did not accompany Daboeh's show, but instead returned it to its sufistic environment. Clearly, by combining it with the Sufistic dance of Rumi that developed in Turkey. Rumi dance accompanied by Rapa'i Aceh music, an amazing art collaboration. I think, this Rumi dance will really be united with Rapa'i Aceh one day.
Here are some pictures of the performance that I took while going on at home The international ethnic music artist and singer, Rafli Kande, in Banda Aceh.
