Sumazau popular music of the Kadazandusun: Qualitative analysis of song forms and arrangements (1970s - 1980s)

Elvin Dainal; Kenny David Yuntalla; Andrew Poninting.

Transactions on Science and Technology, 12(3-2), Article ID UMS-ReS3OA3, pp 1 - 11.

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ABSTRACT
Sumazau music has traditionally related to gong ensemble performance that accompany the Sumazau dance during sacred rituals of the Kadazandusun ethnic group in Sabah, Malaysia. Following the establishment of the Crown Colony of North Borneo in 1946, the function of Sumazau music gradually shifted from ritualistic to secular, becoming a key element in Kadazandusun popular music. Despite its cultural significance, the identity of Sumazau popular music remains underexplored, particularly from a musicological perspective, due to limited scholarly resources. This study reveals that Kadazandusun popular songs in the Sumazau rhythm from the 1970s and 1980s predominantly employ repetitive song forms and simple arrangements that effectively preserve and transmit the essence of traditional Sumazau music into popular domain. Using a qualitative interpretive approach and audio content analysis of eight iconic Sumazau-style songs (five from the 1970s and three from the 1980s), the study applies the Songwriting Cycle Theory to examine musical form and arrangement. The analysis shows that repetitive structures such as AAA and AAAA are dominant, with straightforward yet impactful arrangements that reflect the traditional Sumazau aesthetic. This research contributes to the academic discourse on ethnic music transformation by emphasizing the role of musical form and arrangement in shaping the modern identity of Sumazau popular music. It highlights the importance of preserving traditional elements while adapting to contemporary cultural contexts.

KEYWORDS: Sumazau popular music; Kadazandusun; Musicology; Audio content analysis.



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