Creative Musical Practices in the Performance of Pantun Sunda

This article examines pantun Sunda, epic sung tales performed in rural West Java during ritual feasts and ceremonies. Delivered by a specialist called juru pantun, the performances combine narration, dialogue, and song accompanied by kacapi zither, with offerings made to spirits and deities. The stories, often centered on heroic figures from the Pajajaran kingdom, embody Sundanese history, language, and belief systems, while also reflecting centuries of Hindu, Javanese, and Muslim influence. Contemporary practices demonstrate both continuity of tradition and adaptation to changing cultural contexts.