Obokano

Description

"Round sound box made of carved out wood. Eight low, green and red nylon strings (they used to be made of tendons), tuned by tuning rings made of banana leaves. This obokano is partly manufactured with the traditional materials, e.g. no metal nails used and banana leaves instead of cloath for tuning rings. The hide of the soundboard is stretched over the soundbox with leather straps attached to a leather ring on the back The obokano has a rhythmic and melodic fonction, it accompanies the singing and the dance. The (male) player is always the soloist, the player sings and the dancers respond. Occasions: entertainment, harvest, competitions, beer drinking parties, child birth, story telling times." (Valentine Kihuha, Geoffrey Aswani, Music Department, Kenyatta University, 22, 26 November 2018) Made in the class Organology - Traditional musical Instruments, Music Department, Kenyatta University, Ruiru, Nairobi Style: West Kenya