Songs and Sorrow in Tanjung Bunga

Abstract

The songs of Tanjung Bunga (Flores, Indonesia) refer in their lyrics to the myth of the origin of rice. This myth, sung several times a year, recalls the loss of a young sister who sacrificed herself so that her body would be transformed into rice to feed her people. Studying the lyrics along with the behaviour and verbalized reactions of the singers offers insight into how these songs intensify sorrow. Two groups of songs are studied, those pertaining to the myth of the origin of rice, and those pertaining to the myth of Siamese twins.