Toba Batak culture, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Late 19th - early 20th century
Wood
H.: 57.5 ; W.: 8.5 cm
(restorations)
Carved monoxyle lute with two strings (missing), naviform body, flat back and resonator pierced by an elongated sound hole. The tapering neck, which is missing the two pegs that were once placed in the two circular cavities, features a pegbox carved with an anthropomorphic figure seated on an openwork capital.
This musical instrument was used for religious rituals or wedding parades, accompanied by a second hasapi, a flute and a xylophone.
Illustration photo: Hasapi player, North Sumatra, 1915-1920 © Tassilo Adam
Text and photos © FCP CORIDON