West African String Instrument
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- Title West African String Instrument
- Category Utilitarian
- Medium Mixed media
- Dimensions 27.25"h x 4"w x 2"d
- Description Musical instrument from West Africa with horse hair
- Notes This instrument is a part of the family of instruments named ikpo meaning to pluck or bow.* Specifically, this instrument is a garaya, a long-necked lute with one to eight strings that are plucked or bowed. These are found all over Nigeria excluding the southern regions. Stringed instruments are uncommon now in Igboland, as the string instruments are said to have adverse or satanic powers on the people who played them. Much of the music of West Africa is played in ensembles at masquerades, festivals, funerals, etc. Since it is associated with dance, the rhythmic effect is important. This is the reason for the prevalence of percussion instruments. *J.N. Lo-Bamijoko, “Classification of Igbo Musical Instruments, Nigeria.” (African Music, vol.6, no. 4, 1987), 19-41.
- Artist
- Credit Clyde and Annie Matters Collection
- Location Library Art Storage G6
- Accession Number 1994.0033
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Status
Available
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