That day, Saturday, September 21, 2024, in the midst of the lively celebration of the Cultural and Indigenous Community Discussion with the Tebo Regent candidate pairs which had begun to heat up in the midst of the Tebo regional election competition. The event, which was packaged in the form of a dialogue, presented a Talang Mamak woman who performed a traditional Talang Mamak song in front of enthusiastic participants who filled the Alya Tebo Hotel Hall where the event was held. On the stage, a middle-aged woman with a calm smile sat holding a gambus guitar. She was Tinis, an indigenous woman from Talang Mamak who had long been known as the guardian of her tribe's gambus music tradition. The gambus guitar in her hands looked shabby and old, full of scratches from time, but from there the sound of tradition flowed, bringing stories from the past to the people who witnessed it.
Slowly, Tinis' fingers began to pluck the strings of her gambus guitar, producing a distinctive melody. A soft yet deep voice began to flow from her mouth, carrying the original lyrics of Talang Mamak that resembled pantun. The lyrics were not just words, but also messages from ancestors, sung from generation to generation by the Talang Mamak people. The songs she sang told stories about forests, rivers, life, and love—all of which are closely tied to the traditions and daily lives of the Talang Mamak indigenous people.
Accompanied by her simple yet meaningful gambus guitar playing, Tinis’ voice vibrates softly yet powerfully, conveying a deep story about nature and humans. Every word she sings feels like a mantra, inviting the audience to momentarily enter the world of Talang Mamak, to feel the harmony between humans and nature that is so well-preserved by this community.
The audience at the seminar was stunned. For many, this was probably the first time they had heard traditional Talang Mamak music live, and for others, it was a moment to remember cultural roots that are increasingly being eroded by modernization. Tinis music is not just entertainment, but a guardian of history, keeping ancestral stories and traditions alive amidst the rapid flow of change.
At the end of her song, Tinis closed with a final pantun, in which she expressed her hope for the younger generation of Talang Mamak not to forget their traditions. “This gambus guitar is old,” she said, looking at the instrument in her hands.
"But the sound remains the same, still carrying the story, still maintaining our identity. I hope the younger generation can continue to play this guitar, maintain our music, because from here we can hear the voices of our ancestors," he added.
After Tinis bowed slightly as a sign of gratitude, applause echoed from the audience. Not only as an appreciation for her performance, but also as a tribute to the spirit she brought. The spirit of preserving and preserving the precious Talang Mamak culture. Tinis, with her old gambus guitar, has shown that even though times continue to change, tradition will live on as long as there are those who are committed to preserving it.
That afternoon, on that simple stage, Tinis was not just a woman who played music. He is a keeper of traditions, a teller of stories from the past, and a reminder of the importance of preserving culture in an ever-changing world. The old harp in his hand may be shabby, but the stories that emerge from every pluck of the strings and his rhymes will continue to resonate. Not only in Talang Mamak, but also in the hearts of those who listen with all their souls.
