From Ottoman to Indonesia: Aesthetic Acculturation in Musical Tradition

Abstract

This article provides an understanding of the aesthetic relationship between the Ottoman and Indonesia. Turkey was instrumental in Islamization and political support for Indonesia. Islam came to Indonesia in the 13th century which was brought by merchants of the Middle East and Ottoman Turks. They used several dawah mediums, such as economics, politics, social, and arts. Many sources write about the central role of traders from the Middle East in Islamization in Indonesia, yet few resources give explanations of the role of Turkish traders and preachers. Using the descriptive analysis method, this article argues that Turkey has given a strong influence on Sufism in Indonesia. The main instrument in this research is library observation. This study found that the Ottoman Turks influences aesthetic-Sufistic interactions in Indonesia. Ottoman Turkey with Sufism from Mevlana Jalāl ad-Dīn Rūmī has introduced music to Indonesia, which includes recitative poetry sung, Turkish musical instruments, and Sufistic Whirling Darvish dance of Tarekat Mevlevi Rūmī. The influence of Turkey spread to Javanese and Malay-speaking Sumatran people.