Kudlung

Group: B'laan

Kudlung, side view

Kudlung, top view

Kudlung, the head with the handle for fine tuning

The tail

The plectre (akbit) stuck into a hole
Photographs copyright: F. de Jager

The same kudlung, played during a feast in Sittio Kablala
Photograph copyright: F. de Jager - Courtesy Philippine Council for Living Traditions

Classification

Chordophone, two stringed boat lute

Description

Two stringed lute made of wood, one string for the melody, one for the drone. Eight frets originally held in place placed on the neck of the lute by a sticky rubbery substance, called sicoco. (The substance seems to be propolis, made by honey bees to close and fix small openings in the hive). The lute has a mechanism for fine tuning consisting of a wooden comb tied against the outer part of the lute's neck and the melody string.

Dimensions: length: 118 cm., width: 20 cm., height: 10,5 cm.

Remarks

Ethnic group: B'laan
Location: SE Mindanao (christian / animist part)

Similar instruments are played by:
- Bagobo, SE Mindanao; kudlung
- Kalagan, SE Mindanao
- Manobo, Mindanao; kudlung
- Mansaka, SE Mindanao; kudlung
- T'boli, SE Mindanao; hegelung
- Maranao, West Central Mindanao (muslim south), kudyapi
- Tagbanua, Palawan, kudyapi