Indonesia
Karo Batak people of northern Sumatra, Indonesia

Wood, metal strings
Early – Mid 20th century
Length: 30 in
Chordophones – Lutes – Plucked

The kulcapi is a slender plucked boat-lute of the Karo Batak people of northern Sumatra, Indonesia.  The Batak live on a mountainous plateau of Sumatra.  The people are divided into five subgroups: Toba (the largest group), Simalungun, Pakpak, Angkola and Karo.  This Karo Batak lute is made from a single piece of wood and unlike the hasapi (also found in this collection), has a slender diamond-shaped resonator. This lute also has three metal strings (most have two strings) that extend from the tuning pegs located on each side of the pegbox to pins in a block of wood that serves as a fixed bridge near the lower end of the wooden sound table.  The top of the pegbox shows the carving of a stylized anthropomorphic figure seated, while the end bends back and slightly upward.  The neck supports four metal frets that are inlaid.  The kulcapi is played with a plectrum and used to accompany singing.