Borneo

Iban People

Wood, rattan, goatskin
Length: 35.5 inches
Early – Mid-20th century
Membranophones – Struck Membranophones – Single headed

The Iban people of Borneo were well known for making and playing musical instruments for recreation or ceremonial purposes. One such instrument is their traditional drum called ketebong, regarded as a sacred instrument.  This ancient and rare traditional drum is made from a cylindrical piece of wood (mengeris, nibong, or tapang) and is three feet in length (others range from 2.5 to 4 ft).  The center is hollowed out with a smaller middle-section diameter, compared to that of both ends of the wood, creating a cone shape at both ends.  This allows the drummer’s fingers more contact with the drum’s skin while the open bottom amplifies the sound from the hollowed-out cylindrical wood.  In the past the drumhead skins were made from wild animals, such as deer, monkey, and monitor lizards, but today they are made from goatskin.  The edge of the drumhead skin is sewn and attached to long strips of rattan that run down the sides of the drum and connect to a braided rattan loop around the drum.  Pieces of wood slats are inserted into the rattan loop for tightening the drumhead.  

The ketebong, considered a sacred drum, is only played by men during Gawai or Gawa – the only occasion that traditional rituals are carried out to ask for blessings from or appease the ancient deities. The ketebong is played by beating the drumhead with two fingers on each hand:  Two fingers closed together (tambit position) or two fingers open (buka position), while the side of the palm rests on the brim of the drum.  The performer plays the ketebong in a sitting position on the floor/ground with both legs extended away from the body and the knee of the dominant hand is lifted slightly higher so the brim of the drum rests on the inner side of the knee.

Resource: https://www.theborneopost.com/2020/01/19/ketebong-drummers-keep-a-sacred-beat-alive/