Haydn: The Early Years, 1732-1765

The Terminology of Batak Instrumental Music in Northern Sumatra

“…An instrument may disappear in the course of history, but its name may remain as the designation of a new instrument that has come into favour amongst the people, as in the case of the Greek lyra. 9 In Southeast Asia we have the kecapi, now the name of the so-called boat-shaped lute played in the Indonesian Archipelago, a name derived from the Indian kacchapi-vlfla, a long-necked lute and a relative of the sitar. The name has been slightly modified to hasapi, kucapi and kulcapi among the Batak, and to sapeh among the Dayak of Borneo.…”