[5] Etymologically, the word 'kompang' is absorbed from the Javanese: ꦏꦺꦴꦩ꧀ꦥ꧀ꦭꦁ, romanized: komplang which means "empty" or "hollow", this refers to the shape of the kompang musical instrument itself which has a hollow part (on the back that is not covered with skin) so that it can produce loud sounds when hit.

Kompang was originally created by the people of Ponorogo, who at that time still adhered to the beliefs of Animism and Kejawen, until finally the teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism entered.

The art hall oversees the construction of musical instruments, and schedules performances.

[7] The number of traditional Islamic boarding schools in Ponorogo are famous, making the alumni of the Pesantren in Ponorogo bring Kompang musical instruments to various regions on the island of Java which are then developed in each area for the alumni of the students.

Kompang Ponorogo also spread to the Malay area because of the marriage of the son of the kiayi of the Tegalsari Pesantren married to the Princess of the Sultan of Selangor.