Rasp

Senufo (Iron Rasp)

Ivory Coast
Senufo

Iron
ca. Late 19th / Early 20th Century

Length: 43 cm
Idiophone - Struck Indirectly - Scraped

This is a Senufo patinated hand forged iron rasp with spoon shaped extension used as a rhythm instrument. A nail or rod is scraped rapidly across the series of notches which produces a characteristic sound that is similar to a rattle. Rasps exists in a number of different forms, e.g., sticks of wood, gourds, bamboo, bone, and iron. This type of instrument is also found amongst the Dogon and Bambara ethnic groups. Rasps such as these are only made to accompany ceremonial dances and not produced for the tourist trade.

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-IDST-169-21

NOTE: A similar example is documented in Afrique, L'art des formes, by Marc Ginzberg, Ed. Skira (2000) p. 138.

© Hartenberger World Music Collection