These drums were used as long ago as 2500 years ago. Although fairly rare today, they are still valued in certain areas.
For example, on the island of Alor these so-called moko drums are still used as symbols of status in society.
They are commonly sought as part of bridal dowry in marriages there.
Dowry means that the wife’s family provides some amount of wealth to the husband’s family as a form of livelihood for her after marriage.