Slit Gong

Item number Ih214 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Natural brown wood slit gong drum made from a solid piece of 'greenheart' hardwood carved with an adze. Semi-cylindrical in shape and tapering to solid ends. Hollowed with curving sides. The surface is not finished.

History Of Use

Slit gong drums or lali function like bells. They are beaten at the lip of the trough in complex rhythms signifying virtually every event of significance. These events include, attack in war, the return of warriors or the arrival of important visitors. The rhythm differs according to the message and are easily distinguishable by villagers. They are now used at churches to summon people to meetings and celebrations. The size of the lali varies according to the seniority of the chief living in the village and hence to the importance of the village. It is kept under a shade tree near the chief's meeting house (vale levu), in the village or it is kept near the church.