Jejy voatavo

Description

The jejy voatavo is a stick zither native to Madagascar. In western Madagascar, the alternate name, dzédzivoatavo, is also found. Traditionally, its one or two strings were made from several twisted raffia fibers, although more recently, steel strings are also used. Players, called mpilalao, depress the strings against three projecting fret rods, while plucking them with the middle finger of the opposite hand. Traditionally, this form of zither is used primarily to accompany epic story telling.