Rhythms of Tradition: Mokhtar Abdul Hamid’s Dedication to Kompang and Jidor
Mokhtar Bin Abdul Hamid is an entrepreneur specializing in the traditional Malay musical instruments kompang and jidor in Parit Sumarto. From a young age, he was immersed in the craft, learning directly from his father, who was also a kompang maker in Segamat, Johor. Later, Mokhtar moved to Batu Pahat, Johor, and began making kompang on his own for about 10 years.
Initially, Mokhtar only sold products made by his father. However, due to high demand, he started his own kompang and jidor enterprise with his father's support in Batu Pahat, Johor, continuing the family tradition.
Mokhtar shared that from primary school through high school, he dabbled in selling his father's handcrafted kompangs. After his father's passing, he was determined to start his own kompang and jidor business, driven by both economic necessity and a deep passion for the craft and music.
In the beginning, Mokhtar joined kompang groups that typically performed
at village weddings. Later, he received invitations to perform at VIP events in community halls in his hometown. He noted that in Johor, the style of playing kompang is unique because it incorporates elements of the jidor, a characteristic not found in other states.
'Sebenarnya di Johor, bentuk pukulannya berlainan sedikit dan ada jidor. Kalau di sini, pukulannya bukan pukul di tengah, tetapi di tepi,' Mokhtar explains.
'Dia gabungan daripada satu, dua, dan tiga pemain yang menghasilkan satu bunyi kompang. Orang pertama akan pukul melalu, orang kedua akan menyelang, dan gabungan ketiga ini akan menghasilkan satu bunyi kompang,
What sets the kompang and Jidor Enterprise apart is their use of halban wood, a high-quality material known for its density and superior resonance. While most kompangs are crafted from the lighter sena wood, halban wood offers a richer sound, making the kompang and jidor from Parit Sumarto stand out in terms of quality.
For the drum skins, Mokhtar uses local goat skin, which has the ideal thickness for a rich, resonant sound. Imported goat skins, which are nearly 1mm thick, don’t offer the same depth of resonance.
Most people play the kompang because it provides an opportunity to gather with friends and strengthen bonds while preserving the heritage of this traditional instrument.
To visit contact:
Encik Mokhtar +6012 - 7508 281
Perusahaan Kompang & Jidor Parit Sumarto,
No. 17, Jalan 4 Taman Kelisa Jaya,
Parit Raja, Batu Pahat Johor.
Website: www.kompang.com.my
