Obokano

Description

"Round sound box made of carved out wood and covered by a cow hide attached with yellow nylon chord, strung together with a metal round wire. Eight yellow nylon strings (they used to be made of tendons), tuned by tuning rings made of cloath. The flat large bridge is made of five reed sticks, held by wax. The strings are held at the bottom by a small metal stick. 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, Music Department, Kenyatta University, 22 November 2018) Made in the class Organology - Traditional musical Instruments, Music Department, Kenyatta University, Ruiru, Nairobi Style: West Kenya