Kentongan

Indonesian instrument From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A kentongan is a traditional Indonesian type of slit drum or hollow wooden bell used primarily as a tool for communication, community security, and religious signaling.[1][2][3]

A kentongan as it appears

Structure

The kentongan is a hollowed-out cylinder made from bamboo, wood, or coconut tree trunks. It has a long vertical slit that acts as a resonance chamber.[4]

Operation

It is struck with a wooden mallet (beater) to produce a deep, loud, and penetrating clicking or popping sound.[4]

Design

While many are plain bamboo tubes, some versions are carved into intricate shapes resembling humans, fish, or mythical creatures like dragons (Naga) and Garuda.[4][5][6]

References

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