Museum accession report states it was collected by Quaker missionaries during the early 1920’s. Even though rain songs and wedding songs have fallen into disuse since the Christianization of the Kisii area, they live on in the memory. Songs glorifying the dead or rain songs in times of drought were often accompanied by the obokano too. Often singing accompanied by the obokano led to dancing. It was brought out at weddings and other ceremonies, circumcisions or simply for entertainment, for example after the harvest. The obokano stood for power and pleasure. Women were not allowed to touch the instrument in the belief that doing so would make them infertile. The musician plays it by plucking the strings with both hands. It has seven reed strings that are tuned by adjusting the rope-like rings on the crossbar, a resonator hole in the cowhide, and a wooden bridge to elevate the strings from the hide-covered wooden bowl. Traditionally the sound/resonator box is a hollowed out stump of the omotembetree. It’s nine playing holes correspond to the number of rings around it.This large bowl-shaped lyre from Kenya is called a “obokano” and has been referred to as the double bass of East Africa. To master the art of playing the gasba, it takes years of practice. It is made of reed and is common in Chaoui music and other traditional Algerian music. The Gasba is a flute-like instrument common among the Berber community in North Africa. This 5-stringed instrument was used by the Azande people. Kundi strongly resembles the Egyptian harp. The Kundi is from Central Congo and resembles an arched harp. In most occasions, its played alongside a flute and harp The kora is a large calabash cut in half and covered with a cowskin, then attached to a wooden neck. It can be described as an ancient version of the modern-day guitar but with African characteristics. Native to West Africa, Kora is a popular stringed instrument. History dates it to the ancient Mesopotamia and Egyptian civilizations. The size is about 14 to 16 inches and used in the special ceremonies of the Sufi, whose traditions are known for their music, dance, and rhythm. Chordophone: This class of instruments is characterized by the sound coming from a chord, string or strings that are plucked or bowed. Unlike a tambourine, the traditional instrument has no jingles but a snare stretched above the head that produces sound when the drum is struck by the palm or fingers. Bendirīendir is a drum with a wooden frame synonymous with the Northern African people. Some believe the name came from the Mali “anke-dje-anke-be” translating to “everyone gather together.” Countries in West Africa where it’s in use are Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Gambia, Mauritania, Mali, Senegal, Ghana, an Ivory Coast. This 400-800 years old instrument has Maninka/Susu origins. The djembe resembles a single-headed goblet drum originally from Guinea and Mali. In Africa the guitar is probably the most played plucked instrument (more than the Kora, which is in fact a kind of harp). The instrument is used alongside the nyatiti to amplify emotion during song and dance. In the olden days, the oporo was used during funerals, weddings, barazas, and other important functions. Popularly known as the Oporo by the Luo community, the curved antelope horn resembling that of a kudu has multi-colored beads played by blowing air through its narrow holes. Handmade balafons, koras, and similar percussion instruments have 21 keys while the frame resembles a calabash. Jelis and other hereditary musicians pass down teaching instruments from father to son or daughter, a practice that continues to date. Balafon is made of a bamboo frame made of original rosewood or other wood selections depending on availability. Balafon is associated with Griot tradition, a hereditary ritual in Gambia, West Africa. This instrument creates sound by vibration and is synonymous with the Mandinka. The bafalon is a musical instrument in West Africa that closely resembles a European Xylophone. Musical instruments span from percussion, string, wind, drums, and several others. We shall examine some of the prominent musical instruments that are still in use today. You can learn a lot about the continent’s flamboyant textiles, trade of valuable metals, and musical traditions. Africa is an enormous continent, of diverse people, cultures, and practices.
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