Music of Vanuatu

[1] Musical instruments consist mostly of idiophones: drums of various shape and size, slit gongs, as well as rattles, among others.

In various regions, aerophones, such as conch shells, whistles or bamboo flutes, are (or used to be) played.

Membranophones and chordophones were also found in some areas, but have fallen into disuse during colonial times.

The large slit gongs which symbolize Vanuatu belong to these traditional instruments; they were most often used as musical drums to accompany certain dances, but also sometimes – though seldom – as a ritual means of communication; although widespread throughout Vanuatu, they are used vertically only in central areas of the archipelago (mainly on Ambrym).

[2] The early part of that decade saw bands like Huarere and Tropic Tempo forge a distinctly ni-Vanuatu modern musical identity, and more bands have followed in their footsteps, including XX-Squad and Vanessa Quai.