Nyatiti

Description

"The sound box is made of a carved out piece of wood, painted in white, black, red and green stripes. A hole is made in the sound box and covered with a small piece of wood, to hold presents given to the player; the hole also act as an amplifier. The hide is attached to the soundbox with small iron nails. Eight clear nylon strings (in early days made of tendons). The string holder is a small stick attached to the bottom of the instruments. Tuned by tightening the string on the wooden crosspiece. The tuning rings are made of banana leaves or reeds. Tuning depends on the vocal range of the singer. While playing the nyatiti the(male) player sits on a small stool and puts the lyre on the ground. The nyatiti can be accompanied by rattles attached to the ankles which give the rhythm, and by a toe ring, also for striking the tempo. Played during rituals and social occasions such as weddings and cleansing of indivuals." (Valentine Kihuha; Daniel Mabonga; Geoffry Aswani, Music Department, Kenyatta University, 22 November 2018) Made in the class Organology - Traditional musical Instruments, Music Department, Kenyatta University, Ruiru, Nairobi Style: West Kenya "The nyatiti is a ceremonial instrument played by a specialist formally engaged to play. It is made with wood, with 8 strings and a buffalo or cow skin covering the resonator. Hula (wax) holds together three sticks fitted at the top to stretch the strings tightly" (Panel text National Museums of Kenya)