Slit Gong

Artist Unknown

Date20th century

MediumWood

Dimensions118 x 58 5/8 x 19 3/4 in. (299.7 x 148.9 x 50.2 cm)

ClassificationsSculpture

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hanes

Object number86.14

On View

Not on view

Label Text
Slit gongs are cylindrical drums made of hollowed-out wood or bamboo with a longitudinal slit and are beaten with sticks. Arranged in sets around a dance ground, they served as musical instruments for ritual celebrations. The drums also were used to transmit messages in emergencies, somewhat as we use fire alarms. Large slit-drums with carved faces, such as this example, were used for ceremonies of the men's grade society.Published ReferencesIntroduction to the Collections, rev. ed. (Raleigh: North Carolina Museum of Art, 1992), illus. (b-w) 64.
Object Rights Statement

The North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) makes images of its collection available online to support research and scholarship and to inform and educate the public. Certain works of art, as well as the photographs of those works of art, may be protected by copyright, trademark, or related interests not owned by the NCMA. The responsibility for ascertaining whether any such rights exist and for obtaining all other necessary permissions remains with the applicant. To request images and/or permissions from the NCMA, please complete our online request form.