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Name: REBANA
Classification: membranophone
Origin: Malay

     Rebana Ubi (Big), Top ViewRebana Ubi (Big), Side View
    Big Rebana Ubi, Photo credits: Julie Tan

    Many single headed drums in Malay folk music are called rebana or some variation of that name. These are found with cenotaph shells or as kettle or frame drums. Most instruments called rebana are frame drums with a shallow or a deep frame made of wood. If metal jingles are loosely inserted in the frame the rebana is known as rebana kercing or tar.


    Small Rebana Ubi, Photo Credits: Julie Tan

    Very large cone shaped drums are also called rebana. Rebana ubi (photo above) is at least 70 cm in diameter and almost one meter in height. It is hung vertically or placed horizontally on the floor. They are usually found in ensembles which play interlocking patterns. Village rebana ubi orchestras often engage in contests with other villages providing entertainment after the rice harvest.

    The rebana that is used for the zikir and hadrah performances in Kedah and Perlis, is a potted type in shape and comes in different sizes. The frame is made from jackfruit tree wood while cow hide is used for the drum skin. (Nik Mustapha, 1998).

    Rebana Hadrah Besar
    Rebana Hadrah Besar, Photo credits: Julie Tan

    Rebana Penganak come in pairs. Goat hide is used for the drum skin. This rebana is placed on the lap of the player during performance.

    Rebana Hadrah Penganak
    Rebana Hadrah Penganak, Photo credits: Julie Tan

    Rebana Pengerum came in sets of 8 or 10 rebana all together. It is used the same way as the rest of the rebana and is placed on the lap during performance. The players strike the rebana while they are singing.

    Rebana Hadrah Pengerum
    Rebana Hadrah Pengerum, Photo credits: Ministry of Culture, Arts & Tourism

    Rebana Dikir Barat is another kind of rebana that flourishes in Kelantan. It can be used as a single instrument (solo) in Main Petri, one of the traditional healing ceremonies performed in Kelantan. (Nik Mustapha, 1998)

    Audio Examples

Audio Example
An example of how the rebana sounds

An example of how the rebana ubi sounds
Better sound quality example of the rebana
(Courtesy of Ang Yaw Feng)