Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea
Massim People

Kwila wood, mother-of-pearl
Mid – late 20^th century
Length: 29 in; Diameter: 4.25 in
Membranophones – Directly Struck

This Massim drum, called a ‘katunenia’, is from the Trobriand Islands, just off the coast of New Guinea.  The Trobriand Islands are a 174-square-mile archipelago (island chain) off the east coast of New Guinea. They are part of the nation of Papua New Guinea and are in Milne Bay Province. This island group includes four main islands, the largest being Kiriwina Island, and the others being Kaileuna, Vakuta, and Kitava. 

The katunenia is carved from the heavy kwila wood (meku) and features zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures in high relief.  A prominent design of this drum  includes a series of raised nubs in rows of four and five, that are topped with mother-of-pearl inlay.  The drum is cylindrical in shape and has a drumhead (‘towamomla’) made from stretched lizard skin. The katunenia is used for dances (ilowosi) and sometimes just to beat out a rhythm (ligai). They are played with other drums, such as the larger ‘kaesosau’ drum, as well as with the tiny finger-drum (katuneniya). Although the men own the drums, they are usually kept in the family houses. They are played by striking the drumhead with the thumb.

The Massim ‘katunenia’ drum is usually given a name by the people and are passed down through generations and considered by the locals to be the voice of an ancestor.

Resource:  https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/313982