WHEN: Thursday 15 October 2026 to early 2027

WHERE: Museum North Foyer

COST: FREE

Visit our North Foyer to see this rare display of Vanuatu treasures, with our pop-up display, Pacific Cultures in Motion: Revitalising the Collection.

See the striking 2.8m high tamtam (slit drum), otherwise known as ‘atingting’ from Ambrym in central Vanuatu and a number of musical items such as traditional musical balls, a bamboo flute and dance rattles made from the fruit of Pangium edule, a tropical tree found throughout Vanuatu.

The display was inspired by a collaboration between Adelaide-based Ni-Vanuatu performer Edgell Junior Edgell and Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara man Elisha Umuhuri, who approached the Museum about using the slit drum while developing a soundtrack for an upcoming theatre production by performing arts company, Patch Theatre.

A video in the foyer will showcase Edgell Junior and Elisha creating their musical collaboration in the studio and sharing their thoughts on the cultural importance of music.

The distinctive vertical slit drum was commissioned by Chief Tain Mal and carved by Tin Mweleun in 1968. It has been in the Museum’s care since 1996.

The Pasifika pop-up display is the first in a series of community-informed activations, as part of the conservation and cultural care program currently underway at the Museum over the coming years. As part of this project, the Museum is working side by side with the Pasifika communities of South Australia to explore and tell the stories of the cultural material in our care.