The History of Rapa'i Pasee (Traditional Music from Aceh)

RAPA'I is one of Aceh Traditional Music form, it lives and develops according to the needs of its supporting community. Until now the existence of rapa'i is still favored and in the interest by the people of Aceh as one of the traditional forms of art both in the context of customs and Islam.

Rapa'i can also be interpreted as one of the names for musical instruments (drums) made of Tualang wood or Merbau wood, while the membrane is made of goat skin that has been processed in such a way.

At first rapa'i was born as one of art form which is utilized to develop the teachings of Islam. This is in line with the entry of Islam into the region of Aceh, namely to the Samudra Pasai region. The Kingdom of Samudra Pasai was the first Islamic empire in the archipelago that appeared in the VII century AD. The religion of Islam entered and developed into the region of Aceh brought by Islamic traders who come from Arabic, Persian and Indian (Gujarat).