Which musical instruments accompanied traditional Polynesian singing?

Polynesian music is primarily vocal, as the word holds a central role in the culture's musical expression. Traditional singing is frequently accompanied by body percussion, such as clapping and slapping.1

Beyond body percussion, various instruments are used to accompany song:

• Drums: Polynesians utilize large, cylindrical, single-headed drums often made from breadfruit wood or hollowed coconut palm, which are beaten with the hands.2
• Idiophones: This category includes various instruments that produce sound through their own vibration, such as rattles and slit drums. In Samoa and Tonga, the o-le-polotu—a percussion board—is used to accompany solo songs.13
• Other Instruments: While the nose flute and musical bow are traditional instruments, they are generally used independently from song rather than as accompaniment.1

It is important to note that while hourglass-shaped drums are common in other parts of Oceania, they are not found in Polynesia. Additionally, while modern Western instruments like guitars and ukuleles have been introduced to the region, they are distinct from the traditional instruments described above.24