Gandingan
/ɡanˈdɪŋən/noun
A set of four vertically suspended, bossed gongs used in the kulintang musical tradition of the southern Philippines.
Did you know?In Maguindanao kulintang ensembles, the gandingan can imitate speech-like rhythmic patterns, allowing performers to create musical “conversation” without words.
Etymological Timeline
Precolonial period
Maguindanao
gandingan
“Name of a set of suspended gongs in the region’s indigenous musical tradition; the precise internal etymology is uncertain.”
Traditional usage
Maguindanao
gandingan
“Four narrow-rimmed gongs played as a secondary melodic and rhythmic instrument within a kulintang ensemble.”
20th Century
Philippine English
gandingan
“A culturally specific name retained in English-language descriptions of Maguindanao music.”
Modern English
English
gandingan
“A Philippine gong instrument, generally discussed in ethnomusicology and world-music writing.”