Instruments Played

a two-stringed, fretted boat- lute which is four to six feet long with nine frets made of hardened beeswax. This instrument is commonly played by several groups such as Palawano people, Maranao and Manobo.

Sulaiman learned how to play kutiyapi from his uncle at 13 years old.

ancient instrumental form of music composed on a row of small, horizontally laid gongs that function melodically, accompanied by larger, suspended gongs and drums.

a set of two wide-rimmed, vertically suspended gongs used by the Maguindanao, Maranao, Sama-Bajau and Tausug people of the Philippines. It is the largest gong in Mindanao.

set of four large, hanging gongs used by the Maguindanao as part of their kulintang ensemble. It is considered as the Philippines’ xylophone.

It is a traditional lip-valley flute made of bamboo. Its upper edge is cut away obliquely from the backside, and then cut away slightly from the frontside. The player's lower lip is placed against the cutaway surface. The palendag is open at both ends, with a total of four finger holes; three in front, one at the back.