The Angklung Bamboo Orchestra

The angklung is a Sundanese instrument from Indonesia. Carved bamboo tubes attach to a frame and are tuned to octaves.

Each performer holds the base in one hand and shakes it with the other.

An ensemble must cooperate to produce complete melodies. One person just stands there shaking bamboo.

In 1938, Daeng Soetigna created an angklung based on the diatonic scale. This modern variant allowed orchestral performances.

A set of angklung gong gumbeng is stored in the museum.

Baduy people play ancient angklung during harvest ceremonies. The oldest tradition is called angklung buhun from Lebak Regency.

UNESCO added the Indonesian angklung to the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. This happened on 18 November 2010.

Playing this bamboo instrument requires coordination across many centuries of Sundanese tradition. Trust falls rarely involve tuned bamboo.