Melanesia

Melanesia Orchestras of log idiophones or panpipes give melodic and rhythmic meaning to public events, friction blocks and swung slats give sounds of fear and wonder, flutes whisper songs of love, spectacular displays of masks and massed bodies bespeak life-crisis feasts and secret-society rituals: Melanesians have created, and still use, a sensational variety of accouterments and musical instruments to complement their singing and dancing. Dukduks, masked otherworldly spirits, perform at Beru…