Kertok

Kertok is a traditional Indonesian/Malay idiophone ensemble native to the Malay Peninsula, especially Kelantan and Terengganu in northern Malaysia. It features multiple xylophones—often made of hardwood such as nangka or pulai—mounted over coconut-shell resonators (kertok kelapa) and played with mallets. Musicians play interlocking, rapid rhythmic patterns, while a lead player guides the tempo and dynamics. Originating from rural harvest festivities, it served both entertainment and communal communication roles. Today, it continues to feature in cultural ceremonies, weddings, and formal events, and is recognized as part of the broader Southeast Asian xylophone tradition.