Homeland.
In Bahasa Indonesia, we call it kampung halaman. No matter how far we go, it is a place we shall return home.
“I come from a small village, Borong, in East Manggarai, and this Sasando has guided me to travel around the world. The farther I go, the deeper my feelings toward my homeland. The more distant I am from my homeland, the more I realize how beautiful it is. I may not be able to come home frequently, but only through music can I send my deepest love to my homeland.”
Gazpar Araja is a Sasando musician that consistently introduces traditional Sasando music to the young generation. For him, traditional does not equal old-fashioned and boring. By playing Sasando, he is reminded of his roots, East Nusa Tenggara. For more information about him, follow his Instagram at @gazpararaja or his YouTube channel at Araja Channel.
