Kroncong

Keroncong or Kroncong (from Javanese ꦏꦼꦫꦺꦴꦤ꧀ꦕꦺꦴꦁ, keroncong 'rumble', Javanese pronunciation: [kəˈrɔnt͡ʃɔŋ]; Javindo: krontjong) refers to both a specific Cak–Cuk, a ukulele-like Javanese instrument, and a unique classical colonial Java and Eastern Indonesian (particularly Maluku and eastern East Nusa Tenggara) musical genre that evolved and first developed in Java Island, especially at the Java port cities of Sunda Kelapa in Greater Jakarta, Semarang and Surakarta in Central Java, as well as Surabaya in East Java, dates back to at least 16th century. It is characterized by its lilting rhythm, distinctive sound from interlocking Cak–Cuk. A Kroncong orchestra (especially in Java), traditionally consists of a blend of local and European instruments like violins, European flutes, cellos and bass (usually in Pizzicato-style), pair of Kroncong (Cak–Cuk) and a vocalist (usually, but not limited to a female vocalist, traditionally taken from Pasindhèn – a Javanese vocalist in Javanese orchestra).

Although the term Kroncong is a native Javanese term in origin, the Kroncong as a musical genre and instrument is an adaptation of a European (particularly the Portuguese and Dutch) musical tradition, brought by the European colonizers to the Java and Eastern Indonesian port cities in the 16th century.

Bengawan Solo (lit. 'the great river of Solo') is one of the well-known Kroncong songs written by Gesang Martohartono, a Central Java-origin legendary and influential Kroncong musician. Besides Gesang Martohartono, a Javanese female singer Waldjinah and a Batavian male musician Ismail Marzuki were amongst the top influential Native Indonesian figures in Kroncong revival in early 90s era. Krontjong Kemajoran (lit. 'the Kroncong of Kemayoran') was also the popular one amongst the Javindo community, it is the Bataviaʼs folk songs revived and popularized by both Native Indonesians and Javindo-descent such as Wieteke van Dort, a Surabaya-born singer. Through their revolutionary revival, the Kroncong gained its global popularity especially in Asia (especially in Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore), Europe (especially in the Netherlands) and the Americas (especially in Suriname, USA, and Canada).

Since 2015, Keroncong recognized as the local heritage of Java (especially the Greater Jakarta region), and in the following year, 2016, Keroncong is officially recognized and regarded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of Republic Indonesia as integral part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia.