Kahi Ata Ratu, Playing the Jungga until her Last Breath

For over 50 years, Kahi Ata Ratu, has immersed herself in the jungga. The woman dubbed the “Queen of the Jungga” never gives up. Kahi Ata Ratu is determined to keep playing the jungga until her last breath.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Kahi Ata Ratu

Kahi Ata Ratu 60, is a female jungga (a traditional string instrument) maestro from East Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara. Since the age of eight, when she was a third-year elementary school student, she has had a great affection for the jungga and hitherto dedicated her life to it.

The Jungga is a traditional musical instrument typical of Sumba island that is played by plucking the strings, like a kecapi (West Java zither) or ukulele. Many people call it Sumba’s traditional guitar. “I was interested as I watched people play the instrument. Then I was interested to learn,” said Ata Ratu when met on Friday (17/3/2023) in Bali.