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Magic of the hand drums

This humble location in Segamat has been the location where the kompang has been produced by craftsmen for more than 30 years.This humble location in Segamat has been the location where the kompang has been produced by craftsmen for more than 30 years.

The sound of Kompang is a constant presence in Malay weddings. Sunpixman Ashraf Shamsul spent time with kompang maker Mohd Alif Arif Zakaria to learn the A to Z of kompang-making

$!Enormous strength is required as the kompangs are carved out of the Leban or Halban woods.
Enormous strength is required as the kompangs are carved out of the Leban or Halban woods.
$!The body of the kompang is shaped on a lathe drum sander.
The body of the kompang is shaped on a lathe drum sander.
$!The wooden frames of the kompang are dried under the sun.
The wooden frames of the kompang are dried under the sun.
$!Workers scrape away hair from dried goat skin using a blade.
Workers scrape away hair from dried goat skin using a blade.
$!A rope is wrapped around the kompang to reinforce its structure.
A rope is wrapped around the kompang to reinforce its structure.
$!A worker checks the frame of the kompang for any cracks or flaws.
A worker checks the frame of the kompang for any cracks or flaws.
$!Dried goat skin is stretched over the kompang to form the drumhead.
Dried goat skin is stretched over the kompang to form the drumhead.
$!To test the strength of the instrument, craftsmen put their body weights on top of the kompang.
To test the strength of the instrument, craftsmen put their body weights on top of the kompang.
$!A craftsman puts the finishing touches to the kompang.
A craftsman puts the finishing touches to the kompang.
$!These handmade kompangs are sold at Dataran Pahlawan as souvenirs to tourists.
These handmade kompangs are sold at Dataran Pahlawan as souvenirs to tourists.

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