Kudyapi

Group: Maranao

Sideview

The head, decorated with floral motives, 'okiran'

The tail, decorated with the 'crocodile' motive

The bridge, made of wood and carabao horn
Photographs copyright: F. de Jager

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, propolis, produced by honey bees to repair damages and openings in the hive. The lute is decorated with floral motives; the tail is carved to represent a stylised crocodile head.

Dimensions: length: 152 cm., width: 11,5 cm.

Remarks

Ethnic group: Marano
Location: West Central Mindanao (muslim south)

Similar instruments are played by:
- Bagobo, SE Mindanao; kudlung
- B'laan, SE Mindanao; kudlung
- Manobo, Mindanao; kudlung
- Mansaka, SE Mindanao; kudlung
- T'boli, SE Mindanao; hegelung
- Tagbanua, Palawan, kudyapi