Genggong Buaya by Steev KIndwald

In terms of shape and material, the artist Steev Kindwald was inspired by the East Indonesian bamboo Jaw Harps of the Toraja. The Toraja people who live in Sulawesi have become particularly well known for their fascinating architecture, their wood carvings and especially their unusual burial rites. Their jaw harp tradition, on the other hand, has almost died out. It is said that the Toraja warded off childhood illnesses with the Karombi (jaw harps). On the one hand, the rhythmic play soothed the negative energies and, on the other hand, the uniform, gentle sound calmed the little patients, letting them fall asleep quickly and thus recover.

Steev found the bright, beautiful bamboo in a Laotian cave in the border region to Vietnam and then processed it into this simple but excellent-sounding Genggong. With just a little practice you can elicit the soft percussive sound of this plucked jaw harp.