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Slit Gong (Atingting kon)

mid- to late 1960s
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 354
The towering slit gongs of northern Vanuatu are among the largest musical instruments in the world. Found primarily on Ambrym, Malekula, and neighboring islands, they are carved from the trunks of breadfruit trees, which are also an important food source. In each village, a number of gongs, comprising a sort of informal orchestra, stand on the village dancing ground. Gong orchestras are played at major social and religious events such as initiations, funerals, and dances. When playing, the musician stands in front of the gong and strikes the lip of the slit with a clublike wooden beater. As the gong ensemble is played, rhythms of immense variety and complexity can be produced by the carefully coordinated actions of multiple drummers.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Slit Gong (Atingting kon)
  • Artist: Tin Mweleun (commissioned by Tain Mal)
  • Date: mid- to late 1960s
  • Geography: Vanuatu, Ambrym Island
  • Medium: Wood, paint
  • Dimensions: H. 14 ft. 7 1/4 in. × W. 28 in. × D. 23 1/2 in. (445.1 × 71.1 × 59.7 cm)
    H. to top of peg: 12 ft. 4 1/2 in. (377.2 cm)
  • Classification: Wood-Musical Instruments
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1975
  • Object Number: 1975.93
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

Audio

Cover Image for 1187. Kids: Slit Gong (Atingting kon), Part 1

1187. Kids: Slit Gong (Atingting kon), Part 1

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