The musicians of rapai (traditional Acehnese drums) began the movement to welcome guests.

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By @ayijufridar

Seven young artists immediately took a sitting position on the red carpet when the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, just entered the courtyard of the Malikussaleh University ACC Building, Uteunkot, Lhokseumawe, last April 2022. Accompanied by the Chancellor of the Malikussaleh University, Prof. Dr. Herman Fithra and a number of other guests, Ganjar was greeted by the beat of a rapai geurimpheng by young artists from the Cut Meutia Meuligo Studio, North Aceh.

While watching the beat of the rapai, Herman Fithra was seen whispering something in Ganjar's ear, who seemed to be nodding. It was easy to guess, with a gesture that showed the bands of the band in front of them, Herman was explaining the meaning of welcoming the small-sized beat of the band.

Not long after, the rapai beat was accompanied by seureunee kalee, a traditional Acehnese wind instrument. Rapai wasps that were so rhythmic sounded into a harmonious whole, marrying each other and following each other. Everyone seemed to dissolve into the rhythm that filled the space at a moderate pace. The small rapai was occasionally greeted with the beat of two large rapai who sat on a chair between the kale seureune beaters.

Then a greeting or opening verse is heard in the Acehnese language. Starting with praise to Allah and salawat to Prophet Muhammad. Then the verse said welcome to Ganjar Pranowo. Again, the Chancellor of Malikussaleh University whispered something.

Rapai wasps and poetry did not last long. Concise but full of message. About four minutes later, the rappers on the red carpet moved to make room for the group. When Ganjar and his entourage went inside, the sound of rapai was still heard. The steps of the guests were accompanied by the beat of rapai and stopped when the group was near the stage.

Such scenes often occur in various places. Guests who come are greeted with rapai beats and rhymes, with the contents of the poems being adjusted.

“A warm welcome is a form of respect for guests. The duration is short, a maximum of seven minutes," said Uyoeng Wallad, an Acehnese traditional music artist, Saturday (2/7/2022).

According to him, the wasp rapai is a kind of welcome greeting for guests who are equipped with poetry. So, the artists are already well informed about guests and activities. "So, the contents of the poem are indeed connected," added Uyoeng, who is also the Coordinator at the Cut Meutia Meuligo Studio, North Aceh.

Rapai wasps, continued Uyoeng, are not just an artistic activity. In the past, Rapai was also used as part of the strategy. The drum rhythm also has a certain code, like smoke for the Indians. The signal will be caught by fellow fighters in other areas.

There is a saying that says, nyoe ka jimeusue rapai uroh, lageum dipiyoh dijmeusue bude (if rapai uroh has sounded, it is a sign that the barrage of weapons will stop.

"Rapai is also an activity to broadcast Islamic values, especially Rapai which uses poetry," added Uyoeng, who is also adept at playing modern music.

As an art, Rapai is known in almost all areas of Aceh with different types. Especially in North Aceh, it is known as Rapai Pase. This Rapai uses a large drum and is hit while standing. Apart from Rapai Pase which is developing in North Aceh and Rapai Uroh around Bireuen, there are also Rapai Likok, Rapai Geleng, Rapai Tuwek, and Rapai Pulot. Each type of rapai has a different character, although of course, all of them use the drum as their main tool.

Uyoeng hopes that the Government will pay more attention to the future of Rapai as one of Aceh's traditional musical instruments. The younger generation needs to be recognized and adept at playing rapai. Rapai groups that are located in various regions must receive assistance for equipment rejuvenation and have the opportunity to appear in various activities.

"It's not the tapestry that needs rejuvenation, but also the artist's uniform," added the artist who is often a judge in these various music competitions.

Uyoeng's hope should be everyone's hope. As per the old Acehnese proverb; peunajoh timphan, piyasan rapai (confectionary is timphan, entertainment is rapai). The glorification of guests with the beat of rapai is a traditional art that will continue to exist if all elements care about its sustainability.[]

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Anak-anak menyambut tamu dengan tabuhan rapai.

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Sanggar Cut Meutia Meuligo Kabupaten Aceh Utara.

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Mengenalkan rapai kepada generasi berikutnya.

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Contest of Local Culture and Traditions: Memuliakan Tamu dengan Tabuhan Rapai

Oleh @ayijufridar

Tujuh seniman muda langsung mengambil posisi duduk di atas karpet merah ketika Gubernur Jawa Tengah, Ganjar Pranowo, baru saja memasuki halaman Gedung ACC Universitas Malikussaleh, Uteunkot, Lhokseumawe, April 2022 lalu. Didampingi Rektor Universitas Malikussaleh, Prof Dr Herman Fithra dan sejumlah tamu lainnya, Ganjar disambut tabuhan rapai geurimpheng para seniman muda dari Sanggar Cut Meutia Meuligo Aceh Utara.

Sambil menyaksikan tabuhan rapai, Herman Fithra terlihat membisikkan sesuatu di telinga Ganjar yang terlihat mengangguk-angguk. Mudah ditebak, dengan gesture yang menunjukkan para penabuh rapai di hadapan mereka, Herman sedang menjelaskan makna penyambutan dengan tabuhan rapai berukuran kecil tersebut.

Tak lama kemudian, tabuhan rapai itu diiringi dengan seureune kale, alat musik tiup tradisional Aceh. Tabuhan rapai yang begitu ritmis terdengar menjadi satu kesatuan yang harmonis, saling meningkahi dan saling susul-menyusul. Semua orang tampak larut dalam irama yang memenuhi ruang dengan kecepatan sedang. Tabuhan rapai yang berukuran kecil itu sesekali disambut dengan tabuhan dua rapai berukuran besar yang duduk di kursi di antara peniup seureune kale.

Lalu terdengarlah salam atau syair pembuka dalam bahasa Aceh. Dimulai dengan pujian kepada Allah dan salawat kepada Nabi Muhammad. Kemudian syair mengucapkan selamat datang kepada Ganjar Pranowo. Kembali Rektor Universitas Malikussaleh membisikkan sesuatu.

Tabuhan rapai dan syair tidak berlangsung lama. Ringkas tetapi penuh pesan. Sekitar empat menit kemudian, para penabuh rapai di atas karpet merah di bergerak memberi ruang kepada rombongan. Ketika Ganjar dan rombongan sudah masuk ke dalam, suara rapai masih terus terdengar. Langkah-langkah para tamu diiringi dengan tabuhan rapai dan berhenti ketika rombongan sudah berada di dekat panggung.

Adegan serupa itu sering terjadi berbagai tempat. Tamu yang datang disambut dengan tabuhan rapai dan syair, dengan isi syair yang disesuaikan.

“Sambutan dengan rapai merupakan bentuk penghormatan kepada tamu. Durasinya ringkas, paling maksimal tujuh menit,” ujar Uyoeng Wallad, seniman musik tradisional Aceh, Sabtu (2/7/2022).

Menurutnya, tabuhan rapai menjadi semacam ucapan selamat datang bagi tamu yang dilengkapi dengan syair. Jadi, para seniman sudah mendapatkan informasi sebelumnya tentang tamu dan kegiatan. “Jadi, isi syairnya memang nyambung,” tambah Uyoeng yang juga Koordinator di Sanggar Cut Meutia Meuligo Aceh Utara.

Tabuhan rapai, lanjut Uyoeng, tidak sekadar sebuah kegiatan kesenian. Zaman perang dulu rapai juga digunakan sebagai bagian dari strategi. Irama gendang itu juga memiliki sandi tertentu, seperti asap bagi orang Indian. Isyarat itu akan ditangkap oleh sesama pejuang yang ada di daerah lain.

Ada pepatah yang menyebutkan, nyoe ka jimeusue rapai uroh, lageum dipiyoh dijmeusue bude (kalau rapai uroh sudah berbunyi, pertanda rentetan senjata akan berhenti.

“Rapai juga menjadi kegiatan mensyiarkan nilai-nilai Islam, terutama rapai yang menggunakan syair,” tambah Uyoeng yang juga mahir memainkan musik modern.

Sebagai sebuah kesenian, rapai dikenal hampir di seluruh wilayah Aceh dengan jenis berbeda. Khusus di Aceh Utara, dikenal dengan Rapai Pase. Rapai ini menggunakan gendang besar dan dipukul sambil berdiri. Selain Rapai Pase yang berkembang di Aceh Utara dan Rapai Uroh di sekitar Bireuen, juga ada Rapai Likok, Rapai Geleng, Rapai Tuwek, dan Rapai Pulot. Masing-masing jenis rapai itu memiliki karakter berbeda, kendati tentu saja, semuanya menggunakan gendang sebagai alat utamanya.

Uyoeng berharap Pemerintah memberikan perhatian lebih terhadap masa depan rapai sebagai salah satu alat musik tradisional Aceh. Generasi muda perlu dikenali dan mahir memainkan rapai. Grup rapai yang terdapat di berbagai daerah harus mendapatkan bantuan untuk peremajaan alat dan mendapatkan kesempatan tampil di berbagai kegiatan.

“Bukan alat rapai yang butuh peremajaan, tapi juga seragam senimannya,” tambah seniman yang sering menjadi juri dalam berbagai perlombaan musik tersebut.

Harapan Uyoeng harusnya menjadi harapan semua. Sesuai pepatah Aceh zaman dulu; peunajoh timphan, piyasan rapai (penganan itu timphan, hiburan itu rapai). Pemuliaan tamu dengan tabuhan rapai adalah seni tradisi yang akan terus ada kalau semua elemen peduli pada kelestariannya.[]

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Penampilan Sanggar Cut Meutia Meuligo Aceh Utara.

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Latihan yang rutin.