Rhythms of Hari Raya

Explore the sights and sounds of Hari Raya, and learn the science behind traditional Malay drums. Then make your own drum at home.

Last updated 29 April 2026

Yellow script text "Eid Mubarak" above a blue and yellow illustration of a stilt house, palm trees, crescent moon, and stars.

Hari Raya Puasa, also known as Eid al-Fitr, celebrates the joyful end of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslim families fast from sunrise to sunset and gather each evening to break their fast together. It is also a time for reflection, prayer, and doing good deeds. When the month ends, families celebrate by asking for forgiveness, wearing new clothes, visiting loved ones, and enjoying special festive foods together.

In Singapore, Kampong Glam and Geylang Serai come alive with stunning light displays and colourful bazaars filled with traditional treats. Homes are adorned with colourful lights and tantalising aromas waft out of kitchens as numerous families prepare for their friends and family to join in the festive fun together.

The Heart of Malay Music: Traditional Drums

Young performers in traditional Malay attire and black caps play round frame drums at a cultural event.

Photo credit: The Malay Heritage Foundation

For many generations, the beating of drums has formed the steady, energetic backbone of Hari Raya celebrations. Three special drums fill our neighbourhoods with joyful rhythms – the kompang, rebana, and gendang. Of the three, the kompang is perhaps the most recognisable drum; kompang ensembles are often seen performing in mosques around Singapore during Hari Raya.

The Science behind the Beat

A person in a brown patterned robe holds a large traditional hand drum with a white animal-skin head.

Photo credit: MK Photos / Pexels

But how do drums create their beautiful sound? Traditionally, animal skin (usually goatskin or buffalo hide) is stretched tightly over a wooden frame. When the skin is struck, it vibrates and pushes the air around it. This creates sound waves, which enter our ears and is interpreted by our brain as drumbeats. In general, the tighter the skin is pulled over the wooden frame, the higher pitched the drum sounds will be.

Men covered in red powder play traditional drums at a festive outdoor celebration with a crowd behind them.

Photo credit: Dinesh Kandel / Pexels

The size of the drum matters too! Bigger drums such as the rebana produce deeper and lower sounds, while smaller drums such as the kompang produce higher and brighter sounds. This is because a bigger drum has a larger volume of air, which will produce slower, wider, and lower sound waves – which our brain registers as a lower pitch.

Time to Create Your Own Beat!

Now that we’ve learnt about the science behind drums, let’s make more sound magic by creating our own drums! Which material and size of the drum makes the nicest sounding drumbeats? Let’s find out together!

DIY balloon drum craft guide showing cups covered with balloons, listing materials: cups, balloons, tape, pen, scissors.

Six-step illustrated guide for making a DIY balloon drum using cups, balloons, scissors, and tape.

Click here to download a printable guide.

Written by Vanessa Lee & Fatin Afiqah Binte Musa