Yangere

A not-so-traditional, but still typically North Halmaheran art form is the Yangere. This is performed by a group of men playing on various instruments, most characteristically on that huge, boxy string instrument. It also involves beautiful singing, and slow dancing by the female members of the group. Yangere is associated with Christians, and is popularly performed at non-traditional festivities like New Year’s Eve. It strongly reminded me of the music played by string-bands in the South Pacific!