Organ Tunggal

While out riding around our city, we often see signs advertising "Organ Tunggal". An "organ" is a musical instrument similar to a keyboard and the word "tunggal" means single or the one and only. It is an electric keyboard that plays the drums, the trumpet, the violin, the guitar and other instruments and its harmonious melodies sound like a full band playing!

Organ Tunggal is a small business that is often run out of someone's home.....a place where you can come and rent an organ, an organ player and someone to sing.....all for one price ~ a package deal! Usually these musicians are hired to liven up a celebration such as a wedding, a birthday party, the celebration of a circumcision and other official events.

When the Organ Tunggal band begins to perform, neighbors and friends within the community often come and watch for free! They will sing and dance along with the music! When those in the community really like the performers, they will slip money into their hands ~ usually between Rp 1000 to Rp 10,000 (US 10 cents to US $1.00)! The Organ Tunggal performers are usually hired to perform for 3-4 hours, but sometimes they work as long as 6 hours....from dusk until dawn.

One of our neighbors, Mr. I happens to own an Organ Tunggal business. According to Mr. I, those playing the organ and singing must drink beer before they perform so that they can play well. When there is not enough beer, they drink whiskey and when the whiskey runs out they will take an ecstasy pill. It is the responsibility of the person who hires the performers to supply the beer and whiskey. It is sad.

Not only are the Organ Tunggal performers drinking, but often the neighbors and friends that come for the event begin to drink as well. Almost always 1-2 people end up in the hospital after an event like this because so many people are drunk which leads to heated discussions, bad words being exchanged and fights where knives are drawn and people are stabbed. How sad.