Inanga

Description

This instrument was collected in the field by Christopher Powell-Cotton, and it is associated with an Acholi tribe. It is a trough zither carved from a single piece of dark wood reminiscent of the shape of a trough, in which the same string made of vegetable fibers loops back and forth from holes at the edges of the board to create a seven string instrument. A single wooden peg anchors the last length of the string. There are two bridges made of vine at the ends of the board. The bottom of the board has carved holes and there is a metal wire with rings/jingles made of iron alloy placed on one side of the board, for rattling effect. A strip of vegetable fiber is attached that may function as a strap, that loops into two beaded strips attached at the central holes of the board (probably also used as rattling effect).