Kendhang
/ˈkən.dhaŋ/noun
A two-headed barrel drum used in Javanese and Balinese gamelan music.
Did you know?In gamelan, the kendhang traditionally guides tempo, transitions, and changes in musical character, functioning almost like the ensemble’s conductor.
Etymological Timeline
Early Austronesian period
Austronesian
Uncertain
“No securely established Proto-Austronesian source has been demonstrated for the term.”
Pre-modern Java
Old Javanese/Javanese
kendhang
“A drum, especially the barrel-shaped drum used in Javanese musical traditions.”
19th Century
Javanese
kendhang
“A principal drum in gamelan ensembles, used to control tempo and musical transitions.”
19th–20th Century
Malay/Indonesian
kendang
“A traditional double-headed drum used in Indonesian music.”
Modern English
English
kendang/kendhang
“A loanword for an Indonesian or Javanese double-headed drum, particularly one used in gamelan.”