Mouth organ (sompoton) made of bamboo pipes inserted into a dried gourd, sealed together with bees wax. Pipes are bundled together, with plant fibre ties, in two rows of four. Pipes in top row are all the same height, length of bottom pipes vary. Small holes along sides of pipes on outer edges. Gourd mouth piece has a circular body and long, thin neck that extends to the side.

• History Of Use

  A sompoton is a mouth organ that consists of eight bamboo pipes inserted into a dried gourd, which serves as the wind chamber, sealed with bees' wax.

• Narrative

  Acquired by the donor in 1976-1978, when he lived and worked in Sabah, on the island of Borneo, as a volunteer with CUSO International.

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• Type of Item musical instrument
• Culture Sabahan
• Material gourd fruit, bamboo grass, plant fibre, bee wax
• Measurements height 25.9 cm, width 21.2 cm, depth 8.4 cm (overall)

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• Previous Owner David Burkholder
• Received from David Burkholder

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• Made in Sabah

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• Collection Date between 1976 and 1978
• Ownership Date before March 29, 2021
• Acquisition Date on March 29, 2021

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• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3489/0006