Zither

Burundi Inanga

Burundi
Marundi

Wood and eight gut strings
ca. Early-Mid 20th century

Length: 99 cm
Chordophone - Trough Zither

The Inanga is a trough zither from Burundi and surrounding regions. It is usually played to accompany the performer, who sings their own songs about historical events, personal experiences of everyday incidents, or during rituals. It has eight open strings. The performer rests the inanga vertically across their lap while sitting. They lightly touch the string at certain points and then plucks it to produce harmonics. Tapping on the soundboard with the fingernails produces an added rhythmic element to the music. The sound board has star-shaped incisions, "The Eyes of the Inanga" carved under the strings.

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-CHZT-8-66

Reference: http://www.asza.com/iinanga.shtml - Mei Han, Randy Raine-Reusch

© Hartenberger World Music Collection