Slit Gong (Atingting Kon) at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

myminifactory

The massive slit drums of northern Vanuatu stand tall as some of the largest musical instruments on earth. Primarily found on Ambrym, Malekula, and surrounding islands, they are carefully crafted from breadfruit tree trunks that also provide a vital food source for local communities. In each village, multiple gongs come together to form an informal orchestra, standing proudly on the village dancing ground. These ensembles take center stage at major social and religious events such as initiation ceremonies, funerals, and traditional dances. As musicians strike the lip of the slit with a wooden beater, the gong ensemble produces rhythms of incredible variety and complexity through the synchronized actions of multiple drummers. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit project launched by MyMiniFactory to create a global digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks for everyone's free access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, where anyone can contribute interesting items from their surroundings. If you have something unique to share, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate in this exciting initiative.