Kompang: The ceremonial drum of the Malay Archipelago

If you attend a Malay wedding ( punctually ) you would probably see a procession in which the family of the couple follow them and carry bungga manggar which are colourful palm leaf decorations. They are said to symbolise the unity of the couple. However, you would males hitting a drum called the kompang. It has a red border and a white skin on the top.

I thought this practice was unique to Singapore and Malaysia until I saw similar traditions being carried out in Batam and Bali. In Bali, traditional ceremonies are especially of great importance as the vast majority of Balinese are Hindus. They pray to Hindu gods along with their own local spirits and just like other Hindus, they have many religious ceremonies.

The kompang is more than just a drum, it is a symbol of cultural and religious heritage.

The kompang is not only played during Balinese Hindu ceremonies, but also during Islamic festivals such as Mawlid.

I bought my own kompang a few years back, at an underground market in Melaka.

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