Summary of ethnic musical instruments originating in Africa

boron

Bolon Bato a West African bridge harp

The bolon is a harp-like string instrument played in West Africa, including countries such as Mali and Guinea.

Its body is made from a gourd and covered on top with animal skin that still has hair.

The player sits on this body to perform.

Three strings are stretched along a wooden stick that serves as the neck, and a metal rattle-like attachment may be added to the tip of the neck.

There is a hole in the body, and by striking the body it can also be used as a percussion instrument, integrating both string and percussion functions.

The harp section has a relatively low pitch, characterized by a boomy “bon-bon” timbre.

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Ekontin

Watcha plays “Kaya Kaite Katama” – Jola akonting music from Senegal

The ekonting is a guitar-shaped string instrument beloved by the Jola people living in Senegal, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau in West Africa.

Its body is made from a gourd covered with animal skin.

It features a long, stick-like neck, and its two strings are of different lengths: the longer string plays the melody, while the shorter string provides ornamental notes.

It is also considered the origin of the American banjo.

It is said that West Africans who were brought to America as enslaved people created string instruments based on the ekonting.

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Ortu

Aloka Ohangla Group – Otieno Ochako Thume – Singing Wells

The orutu is a bowed string instrument of the Luo people in Kenya, played in Kenya, Uganda, and elsewhere.

It is small enough to be supported with one hand and is characterized by having only a single string.

The cylindrical body is covered with skin, the neck is a round rod, and there is no fingerboard.

Unusually for a string instrument, it is played with the bottom of the instrument braced against the abdomen and held horizontally.

It is often used to accompany singing, providing obbligato lines between the melody and vocals in sync with the fine rhythms known as the benga beat.

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Udo

Droplets-Udu Solo

The udu is a percussion instrument used in West Asia, including countries like Nigeria and Iran.

It is played by striking the surface of the pot and its openings.

Its distinctive form resembles a pot about 50 centimeters tall with a hole on the side.

Made from clay and fired, it is played by tapping, producing a low bass tone when the large hole is struck quickly.

There is also a technique that changes the pitch depending on the position of the hand over the top opening.

Thanks to its unique “pow-pow” timbre, it is also used in contemporary ambient music.

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Kebero

How to Play Orthodox Tewahdo Kebero

The kebero is a double-headed percussion instrument used in religious ceremonies in Ethiopia, Africa.

It has a conical shape, and its large head and small head on either side produce different pitches.

Both drumheads are made of cowhide.

Although it is a large drum about one meter in length, it is played while strapped over the shoulder and held against the body.

It is commonly played with the hands, though sticks may also be used.

Larger keberos are used in Ethiopian religious ceremonies, while smaller versions are employed in public rituals such as weddings and funerals, making it an instrument closely tied to the daily life of the Ethiopian people.

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