Musical Instruments

Socially and musically, the most important indigenous Oceanic idiophone may be the log idiophone, a percussion instrument hewn and hollowed from a solid piece of wood. Log idiophones are played in part of northeastern New Guinea, much of Melanesia and West Polynesia, and parts of East Polynesia. Log idiophones take many sizes and shapes. Ensembles of differently sized instruments are notable in central East Polynesia (Cook Islands, Society Islands) and Melanesia. Most versions...