In the tradition - roots and branches

[marshlander]

The kecek is the so-called "monkey chant" from Bali. Although I've tried some of this music with friends I would love to have a go at this in a genuine performance with a more normal-sized group three or four hundred men. The whole kecak performance involves the telling of part of the Hindu Ramayana epic. The performers sit in lines or concentric circles and chant interlocking sounds until the leader calls a signal to go into one of the chattering "choruses" imitating the sounds of the Hindu deity, Hanuman's, army. The fluttering hand movements are also very characteristic and look pretty amazing when done en masse like this.