The tongkungon of Sabah: Acoustic analysis and organological perspectives on a Kadazan-Dusun bamboo zither

Abstract

The tongkungon is a plucked bamboo zither of the Kadazan-Dusun community in Sabah, Malaysia, reflecting both material ingenuity and cultural resilience. Historically used as a substitute for gong ensembles and as accompaniment to dances such as Magarang, its practice has declined due to modernization and the erosion of oral transmission. This study applies a postmortem framework, combining acoustic analysis, organological classification, and ethnomusicological interpretation. Acoustic measurements based on Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and time-frequency analysis (FTA) reveal a pentatonic tuning system (F, A, B, C, E), with tonal instability caused by bamboo fiber variations. The tongkungon is classified organologically as an idiochord tube zither, linking it to wider Southeast Asian bamboo traditions. Culturally, it has functioned both as a pedagogical tool and as a symbol of Kadazan-Dusun identity. Although its active role has diminished, documentation and revitalization through education, cultural festivals, and creative collaborations offer pathways for safeguarding it as intangible cultural heritage.