Structure and Characteristics:
- The hudhud instrument consists of a bamboo tube that is split into several sections. Each section has a different pitch, forming a pentatonic scale.
- It usually has five to six strings made from abaca fibers, which are stretched along the length of the instrument.
- The strings are plucked with a small plectrum or a fingernail, producing a soft and resonant sound.
Performance and Significance:
- The hudhud instrument is played by holding it horizontally and plucking the strings. It typically provides rhythmic support and enhances the melodic lines of the hudhud chant or song.
- The hudhud is not only used for entertainment but also for rituals, ceremonies, and social gatherings within Ifugao communities.
- It is commonly performed by men, who take turns narrating epic stories while accompanying themselves on the hudhud instrument.
- The hudhud instrument and its accompanying narratives play an important role in preserving and passing down Ifugao cultural heritage from one generation to the next.
- In 2008, the hudhud chants and the art of traditional storytelling were proclaimed as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.