Borneo Drum
Origin: Borneo
Approx Age: Collected from Sarawak in 1964
Materials: Wood/skin/wicker
Dimensions cm: 18 (tall) x 23 (wide)
Ref. Number: 0955
Description:
A lovely Borneo drum made of a hollowed-out piece of wood. An animal skin has been used and stretched over the top of the drum to give it sound. Wicker bindings around the rim with wooden pegs incorporated to keep the tension of the skin which gives this drum its percussion sound. Although this drum is over 60 years old it is in lovely condition suggesting it has been truly cherished and safely stored for a long time.
Provenance: Collected by the previous owner in 1964, and also took the photo in the longhouse.
History
The Iban population is concentrated in Sarawak, Brunie, and in the Indonesian province of West Kalimantan. They traditionally live in longhouses called rumah panjai.
This exact drum was purchased in 1964 from the Iban inhabitants of the longhouse ‘Rumah Ansi’ on the banks of the Rajang River in Sarawak Borneo. The long house (Ansi’s House) is on the left-hand bank downstream from the town of Kapit and above the town of Song. The picture shown was taken during an impromptu party laid on for the crew of RASCV ARAKAN an army crewed tank landing craft during the confrontation between Malaysia and Indonesia. This information was passed over to us upon purchase of this special drum, so it is very accurate, giving it a real history. The photograph shows a young girl playing this drum during the party that was thrown.
This write-up has been edited after speaking to the original owner of this drum and I have been given all the correct facts first-hand.
Thank you, Mr JV.
This is the exact drum in the photo that the little girl is holding.
Contact Exquisite African Art
Telephone:
+44(0)7531639829
+44 (0)1507 328026
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