Kubing (Jaw Harp)

The kubing—also known as the jaw harp—is an ancestral harp instrument found across many Indigenous communities in the Philippines. Its vibration carries echoes of the forest: the calls of insects, the breath of wind through leaves, the subtle language of the natural world. Traditionally, the kubing has been used for communication, storytelling, and courtship—an intimate sound meant to be felt as much as it is heard. This kubing is crafted by artisans from the Talaandig Community of Songco, Bukidnon, under the leadership of our longtime partner and Tatay, Waway Saway. It is made collectively with members of his community, including Balugto, Soliman, Bado, RJ, and many others—multi-faceted artists whose practices span music, carving, performance, and cultural stewardship. Each piece is a living expression of relationship: to land, to lineage, and to the continued presence of Indigenous sound in the contemporary world. When you hold this kubing, you are supporting a community of artists and the ongoing transmission of ancestral knowledge. Made in partnership. Offered with gratitude.