IS SARAWAK ETHNOGRAPHICAL COLLECTION, 



cm. ; distance between the strings, ( measured along the curve 

 of the bamboo) about 6-5 cm. 



Catalogue No. 775. Drs G. P. and H. A. Haviland coll. 

 [P. v. 92]. From Kiou, Mt. Kina Balu. The equidistant strings 

 and the absence of projections beyond the septa show the 

 primitive nature of the instrument ; it is roughly made and is 

 devoid of ornamentation. I have no information as to the method 

 of performing on this instrument, but I imagine that it is held 

 upright between the feet and that the strings are twanged with 

 the fingers of both hands. 



In the Raffles Museum, Singapore are two cylindrical harps 

 purchased from the late Dr. Dennys and said to be Dusun. These 

 are much more complicated in structure than those in the Sar- 

 awak Museum example. Both have twelve strings. In one these are 

 arranged in groups of three, four and five, in the other in a group 

 of seven, with the other five strings round the remaining periphery; 

 in both, the bamboo projects considerably beyond the septa and 

 the upper tubular projection so formed is deeply notched ; one of 

 the instruments has two longitudinal slits to increase its reson- 

 ance. 



2. Kanowit — Cylindrical Harp. (Plate Til, fig. 7. right hand 



specimen). 



At one end (the lower) the bamboo is cut off almost flush 

 with the septum, at the other end (the upper) the bamboo pro- 

 jects 4 5 cm. beyond the septum and at one part still further, 

 11-6 cm., to form a shaped handle 7 cm. long. Round the top 

 of the instrument runs a band of geometric pattern, roughly 

 carved in low relief, the background stained with dragon's blood. 

 There are only four strings arranged in pairs one on each side 

 of a longitudinal slit in the body of the harp ; this slit, which is 

 enlarged at each end in the manner shown in the figure is on the 

 same aspect (the front) of the harp as the handle. A band of 

 plaited rattan encircles the harp at the levels of attachment of the 

 strings to prevent them splitting off. The septa are not perfor- 

 ated. Length (exclusive of the handle) 63 cm.; diameter 11-8 

 cm. ; distance between one pair of strings and the other, measured 

 along the curve of the instrument in front, 11 cm. ; measured 

 along the curve at the back 13*5 cm. 



Jour. Straits Branch 



