Western Java, Indonesia

Sundanese

Bamboo, rattan
Mid-20th century
Idiophones – Struck Idiophones – Rattles

The angklung buncis is a set of tuned bamboo sliding rattles used for entertainment in communities of West Java.  This angklung is signed (‘Oteng’) and it includes a set of 30  large and varied size angklung units. Each unit has four tubes, tuned an octave apart and strung together with rattan rope.  These larger angklungs are played by individual performers in an interlocking, hocket-like manner.  Initially, the angklung buncis were used in agricultural events related to rice. Nevertheless, today the angklung buncis is used as entertainment due to the societal changes in the 1940s about ritual functions that included the use of angklung buncis in honor of rice. The Sundanese consider playing the angklung in a musical ensemble promotes teamwork, mutual respect, and social harmony.

Reference: ‘Angklung’, Margaret J. Kartomi/Andrew C. McGraw, “The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments,” 2^nd ed., Vol 1., Laurence Libin, Editor in Chief. Oxford University Press.