AGUNG
The agung is a large kettle shaped gong of about two feet in diameter. It has a wide rim of about a foot in length and also features a tall knob or busel. Aside from being played as part of the palabunibunyan, it is also played by itself in some occassions such as warning the people in times of emergency, announcing the time of the day and other important occassions in the community.
The agung is also used during the fasting month of Ramadhan, at around three in the morning to indicate the call to eat (called sawl) and at sunset to mark the end of the fasting for the day.
It is believed that the agung possesses supernatural powers because of its deep, loud sound. It is believed that by striking the agung in a fast and loud rhythm called buru-buru it can stop or lessen the jolt of an earthquake.
The agong is hanged on a tall wooden frame, the knob or the busel is at level with the waist of the player. It is played by striking the busel with the padded end of a stick. This stick is about half a foot long and is thickly padded with rubber at one end.
DEBAKAN
The debakan is a goblet shaped wooden drum covered with goat, lizard or snake skin. Like the kulintang frame it is about a couple of inches taller than the seat of a regular dining chair.
Traditionally, this instrument is played by a woman who sits on a chair as she plays. The instrument is played by striking it with two thin bamboo stick of about a feet and a half in length and about half an inch in width.
The player must make sure that the head is tightly fastened at the sides so that the sticks will bounce easily on it.
Create a free website at Webs.com