Agong
/əˈɡɒŋ/noun
A large gong, especially one used in musical ensembles of the Philippines and parts of Southeast Asia.
Did you know?Agongs are central to kulintang ensembles, where their deep metallic tones can accompany ceremonies, communal gatherings, and dances rather than functioning merely as percussion.
Etymological Timeline
Precolonial Southeast Asia
Austronesian languages
agung
“A large gong or prominent resonant instrument; the precise deeper reconstruction is uncertain.”
Malay
Malay
agung
“Great, grand, or prominent; also used in regional musical terminology.”
Early modern period
Tagalog and Philippine languages
agung
“A large bossed gong used in traditional ensembles.”
20th Century
Philippine English
agong
“An English spelling variant for a large Southeast Asian gong.”
Modern English
English
agong
“A large gong, especially one associated with Philippine or Indonesian music.”