Slit gong

myminifactory

This artefact belongs to Malakula island, the second-largest island in the nation of Vanuatu, in the Pacific Ocean region of Melanesia. The two main populations living on the island are the so-called Big Nambas and Small Nambas. This sculpture belongs to the culture of the Small Nambas population. These gongs are typical of the populations living on Malakula and neighbouring islands. They are known to be among the largest musical instruments in the world. These gongs are carved out of breadfruit trees and they are played at major social and religious events. To pplay these instruments, the musicians stand in front of the gong and strike the lip of the slit with a wooden beater.