Gambus and Angklung in Malaysia: Exploring Musical Therapy through al-Fārābī’s Philosophy of Music

Abstract

During the Abbasid era, philosophers such as Abū Naṣr al-Fārābī made significant contributions to multiple disciplines, including music theory. Regarded as the “Second Teacher,” al-Fārābī developed a comprehensive philosophical account of music that examined its relationship with emotion, intellect, and human well-being, most notably in Kitāb al-Mūsīqā al-Kabīr. By the fifteenth century, the Arabic ‘ūd had influenced musical traditions in the Malay Archipelago, evolving into the gambus, which became an important instrument within Malaysia’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Alongside the gambus, the angklung was introduced to Malaysia through regional cultural interaction and is now commonly used in communal and therapeutic activities. This study examines the roles of gambus and angklung in Malaysia through the philosophical lens of al-Fārābī. Employing a qualitative descriptive methodology, data was gathered through an extensive literature review of primary and secondary sources, including classical texts, academic books, theses, and peer-reviewed journal articles. The findings suggest that the gambus plays a significant role in Malaysia’s spiritual and cultural life, closely aligning with al-Fārābī’s conception of music as a medium for emotional and spiritual refinement. In contrast, the angklung demonstrates practical therapeutic value through collective, accessible, and participatory musical engagement. However, despite their cultural prominence, the systematic application of gambus within medical and clinical music therapy remains limited. In line with al-Fārābī’s emphasis on the healing potential of music, this study calls for further interdisciplinary research to integrate traditional instruments such as gambus and angklung into Malaysia’s contemporary therapeutic and healthcare practices.