What Is The Kudyapi Instrument? (Answers)
KUDYAPI – There are several native instruments in the Philippines that hold significant value to our culture and tradition.
In the Philippines, specifically in Maranao, an instrument called the “Kudyapi” was prominent in the 19th century. Its classification falls under the Chordophone family and is considered as a two-stringed boat lute.
Furthermore, this instrument is primarily made out of wood with one string used for melody and the other from the drone. Additionally, it has eight frets originally held on the neck of the lute using a sticky rubbery substance called propolis or “hardened beeswax”.
This substance is produced by honey bees to repair damages and openings in their beehive. However, more modern iterations of the instrument use traditional wood glue instead.
Meanwhile, the appearance of the Kudyapi is made with floral motives with the tail carved to represent a crocodile’s head. Along with this, the dimensions of the instrument are L. 76-1/4 in. (193.7 cm); H. 8-1/4 in. (21 cm); W. 5-1/2 in. (14 cm).
Moreover, this instrument is the only two-stringed, fretted boat-lute used among the Palawano people. This was also used by the Maranao and Manobo. Oftentimes, the instrument is made from softwood such as that of the jackfruit tree.
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