A loud crowd greeted the Mother Bank Band mothers who filled the main stage of the Jogja National Museum (JNM) on Wednesday (6/10) night. Wearing brightly colored clothes and hijabs, the mothers from Jatiwangi, Majalengka looked excited about their first performance.
Three personnel stood as vocalists accompanied by two male guitar and bass players. At the back were eight others, ready with their respective musical instruments. Their musical instruments stood out, as they are made of clay. Apart from guitars and basses, most of them are percussion instruments such as gembyung, bowl, and bloat.
Unexpectedly, the mothers who are usually only concerned with kitchen matters can also play percussion. There were three songs that they played: “Plant”, “Watare”, and “Walking”. All of them are inspired by everyday life as women who are familiar with sweet potatoes and installments.
On the stage, the faces that had begun to be lined with age were still full of energy. Not without reason, as their husbands and grandchildren at home will also watch their actions through live streaming. The audience was so enthusiastic to listen to the semi-rock style of chanting that the Mother Bank Band granted them a song repeat.
The last song is closed with applause and cheers. I approached the women on the edge of the stage.
“I feel relieved, being able to come off the stage” explained Diah, a member of the Mother Bank Band, still filled with excitement.
Even though they looked tired, Diah and her friends still had time to take selfies. To be sent to their family at home, she said.
“We trained for six months, Mas. Once a week, sometimes two. As mothers, we do a lot of work at home, sometimes the children are also fussy,” added Ngkus explaining the process and obstacles of undergoing dual roles as mothers and music group personnel.
Even though they have to take time for vocal training, these mothers still maintain their role in taking care of household chores. Of course, this cannot be separated from the support of the husband, said one mother who is actively involved in Mother Bank activities to turn the wheels of the economy with the interest-free loan method.
Looking at how passionate these mothers were, I was reminded of the song “Jalan-jalan” that they had previously performed:
“Walking to the beach, coming home to a storm.
Whose heart does not falter, when installments to the bank never end….”
