Contains essays on a particular ASEAN musical culture in each member country, namely Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Describes the form, its types and sub-types. Traces musical history and development from the earliest times to early 1990s, highlighting the social, political, economic, religious and other factors that influenced the development of traditional music. Discusses the function and significance of the musical culture in past and present societies and the prospects in the context of the nation's cultural development.