The garamut is a type of slit drum made in Papua New Guinea. It is created from one large piece of wood and is struck with sticks to make sound from the hollow center. Garamuts have historically been important in many Papua New Guinea communities, used both to send messages and as a musical instrument. The word "garamut" comes from Tok Pisin, which means "song" and "to silence." This name is widely known across the country, even though the instrument may have other names in different languages.

Garamuts might have arrived in New Guinea with the Austronesian people. Each drum takes several days to make and is sometimes decorated with beautiful and meaningful patterns. The rhythms played on garamuts can send messages over long distances. Different groups and families might have their own special patterns.

In some communities, garamuts still have cultural importance. Their use is often limited to men and is part of ceremonies where boys become men. Each garamut is usually owned by one person or family and is used only for special events, such as births and deaths. They can be played by one or two people. When used for music, they are important in events like sing-sings.

Name

Garamut is a word in Tok Pisin that can also refer to the Vitex cofassus tree. The word comes from the Tolai language, where "gara" means singing or making sounds, and "i mut" means to be quiet and listen. This word has also been translated as "song" and "to silence." People across the country use the word Garamut. In the Kaian language, Garamut are called "rumbung," which also means listening in silence. In the Boiken language, they are called "mie," which means "tree." In English, the plural form "garamuts" is often used.

Design and construction

Garamuts are a type of slit drum. Each is made from one tree trunk, hollowed out by carving or burning. The shape can be round, oval, or triangular, with a handle at each end. The type of tree used can have specific meanings. Some garamuts are made in pairs, with a larger drum called a selek and a smaller one called a heik. The larger drum produces a deeper sound with a lower pitch, while the smaller drum creates a sharper sound with a higher pitch.

Garamuts can be placed on the ground or hung in the air. Sounds are made by striking beater sticks near the slit, which leads to a large central cavity. This way of making music classifies the garamut as a type of idiophone. They are also called slit gongs. A garamut can be played by one or two people.

Designs on garamuts can range from simple to detailed, often depending on the local area. Markings on the logs may represent certain clans or sub-clans. Creating a garamut takes two to three days, starting with cutting down a tree to finishing the instrument. The process sometimes includes magic rituals and other traditional practices. The beater sticks are carved from the same tree as the garamut. The completion of a garamut is often celebrated with music and food. Performing specific rituals correctly is considered important for the garamut to produce a good sound.

Use and meaning

Garamut drums are found across Papua New Guinea, especially in coastal and island regions. They can be played alone or as part of a larger group. Their loud sound can be heard for many kilometers, so they have been used for both music and communication.

The idea of slit drums may have come to Papua New Guinea with the Austronesian people. Historically, garamuts held cultural importance and were sometimes believed to be homes for spirits. The sound of a garamut is called its "voice," which can represent ancestors or spirits. If a garamut is broken, it is said to have "died."

A single garamut can be closely connected to a person, family, or group. Some are passed from fathers to sons and are linked to gender because they are carved in places where women and girls are not present. In the Sepik region, garamuts are used in male initiation rituals. In some cultures, learning a unique drumbeat during initiation is a sign of respect. Receiving a personal garamut, often after a wedding, is another meaningful event. However, not all cultures follow this rule. For example, the Kaian people name garamuts after female elders, and some drums have designs that include female figures. In some cases, women play smaller garamuts.

Among the Tolai people, special garamuts are used for ceremonies, such as announcing the death of an important person. One Tolai story says the instrument was created by To Karvuvu, after his brother, To Kabinana, told him, "The deaths of our children will be drummed out on it when they die." Other events, like births, new homes, or canoe launches, may also be celebrated with garamuts in different communities.

Today, garamuts are often seen as musical instruments, though older generations still believe they have spiritual power. Rules about when and how they can be used still exist, such as avoiding playing them when someone is sick. For music, they are often played at sing-sings, which are community events. In some parts of Madang Province, garamuts were used for daily communication until at least the 2000s, with different rhythms sending different messages. They helped coastal and upland communities stay in touch over distances of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), and are sometimes compared to phones. In some areas, their use declined as early as the 1970s. Each garamut has a unique sound, so using a specific drum can signal who the message is for. Certain rhythms may also identify individuals or groups.