Page:Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje - The Achehnese Vol II. - tr. Arthur Warren Swete O'Sullivan (1906).djvu/278

 centimetres in height; the cover is made of goat-skin, is about 13 centimetres in diameter, and is fastened to the body of the drum with



bands: of rattan. These bands are stretched by means of a small wooden wedge.

This orchestra serves to accompany the recitation of Achehnese pantōns.

These performances are especially popular in Pidië. A woman sings at the same time executes certain dances, which consist more in movements of the upper parts of the body than of the feet. These dances are called meutari in Achehnese or more commonly meunari, in imitation of the Malay word měnari. Beside the singer is a buffoon who amuses the audience by his grimaces, jests and doubles entendres. The musicians do not always confine themselves to playing their in-