It is made from a hollowed-out log, usually of Miro wood and produces a distinctive and loud sound.

However, in recent times the pate is used together with the other lesser known traditional log drum variants as well as the Samoan fala as percussive musical instruments.

[3] In Rarotonga its origins have grown into deep spiritual roots that are still found in Cook Islands drumming today.

In Tahiti the people have taken a more contemporary approach where drumming and dancing is used more for entertainment and tourism than traditional functions.

For example, French Polynesia celebrates the annual Heiva i Tahiti festival where different tribes and island clan groups are able to compete against each other in a dance and drumming competition.