Philippines – Mindanao
Tboli Indigenous People

Wood, fiber
20th century
Length: 40.5 in, Width: 4.5 in, Depth: 2.5 in
Chordophones – Lutes

According to German ethnomusicologist Hans Brandeis, this is a boat lute called ‘Hegelung’ (haglong, hagelund, hagalong, heglung) of the Tboli people of Mindanao.  The names of boat lutes used by the various indigenous people in the Philippines can be divided into two categories.  First is this hegelung, which ends with the syllable -lung or -long, that indicates that it is exclusively used in the Philippines.  The other category of boat lutes, which may not even be boat lutes, but zithers, are modifications of the Sanskrit word ‘kacchapa’.  Hans Brandeis’ research shows that there are at least 25 distinct subtypes of boat lutes used among at least 38 ethnic groups in the Philippines.

The overall shape of this ‘hegelung’ has a smooth, organic transition between the neck and body, with a square, box shape at the lower end and a slight hook-shaped head extension. It has two strings (melody and drone) that run through small holes in a raised block of wood on the front of the pegbox to the tuning pegs on both sides (laterally inserted). The body and neck are carved from one piece of wood.  The back of the resonator body is covered with a thin wooden board that has a sound hole in the center. There are five wooden frets positioned under the melody string, that are glued to the neck. This hegelung shows intricate decorations and is painted black with incised stylized carving. It is played to accompany singing, dancing, or can serve as a solo instrument.

Reference:  For more information on the different types of Boat Lutes in the Philippines please check out publications by Dr. Hans Brandeis.  For free viewing and downloading:  https://fu-berlin.academia.edu/HansBrandeis.  There is also an advocacy page dedicated to these instruments:  https://www.facebook.com/boatlutesphilippines/ –  Special Thanks to Hans Brandeis.

Reference: https://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/se_asia.htm