Ambryn Island, Vanuatu
Melanesian People

Wood – (Breadfruit Tree)
Early 1900s
Height: 99.5 inches
Idiophones – Directly Struck – Drum Idiophone

A New Hebrides Drum of Ambryn Island, Vanuatu (formerly known as the New Hebrides), called “atingting”.  This large slit drum is unstained with characteristic large disk eyes and carving around the head, there are also areas of lichen (bush-like) throughout the body of the drum. These towering slit drums/gongs are among the largest musical instruments in the world.  They are carved from the trunks of breadfruit trees. 

Ambrym is a volcanic island in the archipelago of Vanuata.  In each village, several atingting drums stood at the village dancing ground and were played at major social and religious events.  They were also used for signaling as a method of communication between villages and even neighboring islands. This tall slit drum stands vertically on the ground and is traditionally played by men of high rank and wealth.