Tambourine

Rabana

Note: The following text is taken from a 19th-century collection catalog and, in its language and perspective, partially reflects colonial thought patterns. We present the text in its original version to make the collection's history transparent and promote a critical examination of the colonial legacy. Certain terms and formulations may be perceived as problematic today. A 2009 research project concluded that most descriptions are factually correct and still usable; only a few details were found to be inaccurate or incorrect. The results of this project were published in the following collection catalog: https://khm-wmw-tm-library.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1457155265

"450. Tambourine - "Rabana"
This consists of a large wooden ring which is bent in on one side. A drum skin is stretched around the periphery, on which the flat hand or the fist is used to beat different tempi. This tambourine is also used at festivals and celebrations like the two drums mentioned above, but it is also used for amusement in the households. In the evening, after sundown, when the house inhabitants have gathered; they sit together in a circle with crossed legs, their betel in their mouths, and listen for hours to the tones of these drums. The artist, usually a member of the family, sits in the middle of the circle, beats on the drum and recites some epic poem or other from the history of the Buginese in a nasal and monotone voice."

Translation of: Czurda, F. A. J. (1883). Catalog mit Erklärungen der Etnografischen Privatsammlung des Dr. F. A. J. Czurda in Postelberg (Böhmen). (p. 106). Wien, Wilhelm Braumüller