Rangguin The rangguin is the jaw harp of the Semang people of central Malaysia. These semi-nomadic pygmies live in a government protected area, rarely contacting the outside world. These people are the last remnants of a once much larger race of pygmies that used to populate South East Asia and parts of the Philippines. The rangguin is an extremely well crafted instrument, which plays with ease. It is also one of the most beautiful jaw harps in this collection, made from peeled palm stalk. This instrument was obtained in 1989 on a chance meeting with Semang musicians at a festival, where this instrument was presented as a gift. Country: Malaysia Region: South East Asia Type: jaw harps

©  R. Raine-Reusch, May 2002