MUSIC
Vitamin M is important for the people of Flores and life and traditions are infused with music. Although many performances are not compatible with western taste there is some interesting music. One of Indonesia’s succesfull singers, Ivan Nestorman is from Flores (Ruteng, 18 feb 1967). For those who understand Indonesian here is an interesting article.
One of our favourites is Nuk Naca Ge. This song is an evergreen in Manggarai language and performed by many singers.
It is about a true love far away. "I am thinking of you, I love you deeply, although you are far away, although we cannot be together..."
This one is performed by Ivan Nestorman.
“Nuk Naca Ge"
Nuk nacage, tu'ung ta naig e..
Toe holes kole, toe po’e ngoeng
Belot naige..
Yoo nacaa ge..
Eie..i.. somba, somba ta..
Somba landing momang, nacage..
Ide de.. Aram hitu wadan naige
Wada kukut lata, nawag ta..
Ide de.. Nai ge..
Co'o moley, bombang beli naca ga..
For further listening check out
Ivan Nestorman-the man of eastern voice
Ivan Nestorman-Lamalera putra lautan
Ivan Nestorman-Flobamora sayang e
Ivan Nestorman songs on Stafaband
Lagu Larantuka -Bale kota renha (Larantuka)
Indonesia songs on Stafaband (Indonesia)
It is not easy to find music on cd, or mp3, even on Flores itself.
The kampung version with a glass of moke or a Bintang....
And then late 2018 there was Aldo who joined The Voice Of Indonesia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8fTjSLPhAM
All four chairs turned and even better, 4 months later on 29 March 2019 Aldo from a small village near Bajawa won The Voice Of Indonesia with this winning song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TastWrm5_aQ
Not finished yet as in the same year Philip, also from a small village near Bajawa on Flores made it to the Grand Final of The Voice Of Indonesia as well.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA4Bvy1KA3s
Well, Flores Got Talent :-) that's for sure.
I met both of them, long before they got famous, just in a small cafe singing for tourists.