Acciacatura Ostinato: Lamentations in the Rambu Solo’ Ritual
Jocellyne Christmas Bethania
Abstract
“Acciacatura Ostinato: Lamentations in the Rambu Solo’ Ritual” is a documentary film that explores the practice of Ma’badong in the Toraja people’s death rituals. Ma’badong is a collective vocal tradition sung as a final tribute to the deceased and as an expression of shared grief. This study aims to document and represent the Ma’badong tradition through an audiovisual approach to facilitate a deeper understanding. The research employs ethnomusicological and visual anthropological approaches using a descriptive qualitative method. Data were collected through observation, interviews with To Ma’badong and traditional leaders, as well as audio-visual documentation during the ritual. An observational approach was used to preserve the authenticity of the recorded cultural practices. The research findings indicate that Ma’badong features musical characteristics such as unison vocals, repeated verses, and a responsorial pattern led by the indo’ badong. The verses sung contain expressions of respect, prayers, and the life story of the deceased. The circular formation and community participation demonstrate the strong value of solidarity within Toraja culture. This documentary film illustrates that Ma’badong serves not only as a mourning ritual but also as a medium for the preservation of culture and the collective memory of the Toraja people.
APPLIED Ethnomusicology
