Instruments
The lute Hasalpi

The  "Hasalpi" from Sumatra will be often mistaken for a "Kecapi" or "Kudyapi" boat lute. The latter is a family name for boat lutes, but this special model belongs to its own category. The two strings are tuned in a minor third, and only the upper string is used for the melody while the lower is plucked as a bordun. This instrument normally belongs to the "Batak" people living in the Toba region of northern Sumatra.  It is interesting that my model was found within a village from "Dayak" people living within the middle of nowhere. However it came there, it might show that even the "Dayak" had a natural interest and understanding of this instrument, as boat lutes like this are well known there.

Pictures (click to enlarge):

   

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