Learning through objects from the Islington Education Library Service’s handling collection

Angklung, Malaysia

This Angklung (the word means bamboo) is a musical instrument from Malaysia. It is made of two bamboo tubes set into a bamboo frame. It is played by holding the base in one hand and using the other hand to shake the instrument. Each individual angklung is set at a different pitch and can be played as part of a group or ensemble to make music called gamelan angklung. Primary schools in Malaysia sometimes have their own angklung orchestras.

The instrument originated in Indonesia but is now commonly found in other parts of South East Asia, particularly Malaysia and Thailand. It has developed and changed over time and is now sometimes played as part of a whole orchestra. In Indonesia, it has traditional connections with Hinduism and temple ceremonies, particularly among the Sundanese people, an ethnic group from the island of Java. During the Dutch occupation of Indonesia the instrument was banned.

In July 2011, in Washington DC, 182 people played angklung to create the world record of the largest number of angklung players and as a result have been entered into the Guinness Book of Records.

Bamboo Rattle
Length:34cm Width:17cm
Bamboo Rattle
Length:34cm Width:17cm
Bamboo Rattle

This Angklung (the word means bamboo) is a musical instrument from Malaysia. It is made of two bamboo tubes set into a bamboo frame. It is played by holding the base in one hand and using the other hand to shake the instrument. Each individual angklung is set at a different pitch and can be played as part of a group or ensemble to make music called gamelan angklung. Primary schools in Malaysia sometimes have their own angklung orchestras.

The instrument originated in Indonesia but is now commonly found in other parts of South East Asia, particularly Malaysia and Thailand. It has developed and changed over time and is now sometimes played as part of a whole orchestra. In Indonesia, it has traditional connections with Hinduism and temple ceremonies, particularly among the Sundanese people, an ethnic group from the island of Java. During the Dutch occupation of Indonesia the instrument was banned.

In July 2011, in Washington DC, 182 people played angklung to create the world record of the largest number of angklung players and as a result have been entered into the Guinness Book of Records.