Instruments and Structure of Musical Accompaniment in Tea Eku Dances (Go Laba)

Abstract

The Tea Eku Dance is one of the traditional performing arts from Nagekeo Regency, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, which depicts the richness of local culture. This dance not only serves as entertainment, but also becomes a medium to convey spiritual, social, and cultural values. The accompanying music, known as go laba, is a combination of the traditional instrument gong (go) and the drum (laba). This study aims to identify the musical instruments and musical structure accompanying the Tea Eku dance and its role in strengthening the cultural values of the Nagekeo community. Go laba is played in an ensemble format, where each instrument has a unique rhythmic pattern but complements each other, creating harmony and dynamics in the performance. The music reflects a hereditary tradition with distinctive local wisdom, although it does not use a modern basic tone system. In the context of modernization and globalization, the Tea Eku dance faces great challenges in terms of preservation and relevance among the younger generation. This research emphasizes the importance of scientific documentation and analysis to maintain the existence of traditional arts such as Tea Eku. By understanding the structure and philosophical value of the accompanying music, it is hoped that efforts to preserve and develop this art can be carried out effectively. The results of this study are also expected to encourage greater appreciation of Indonesian traditional cultural arts, especially from the East Nusa Tenggara region.