Musical Instruments and Accessories

Traditional music is crucial in performing rituals during ceremonies and special occasions. The traditional brass gongs are one of the most well-known musical instruments in the region. In the past, gongs were often held with human mandibles, but hand-carved wooden handles were in place. Some artisans even used deer antlers to craft gong handles. While many of the gong handles in the collection feature anthropomorphic carving motifs, others were inspired by external influences brought about by this interaction in the Cordillera and beyond.