Bamana Ngoni

The West African lute or ngoni comes in a variety of sizes. This smaller sized instrument is known as the kamale (young man’s) ngoni, popularized in the 1960s through the evolution of the Wousolou sound. However, this example predates that pop movement. It is similar to the Fulani hoddu, the Tuareg tahardant and other related instruments found across the Sahel. This family of instruments, characterized by a straight neck and a hollow wood or calabash body wrapped in drum-tight goat skin, is thought to be the ancestor of the American banjo. The beautiful old example on offer here no longer has strings but their absence allows us to see it as an expressive face. Considering its age the instrument is in excellent shape. There is some loss to the bindings in one corner of the back side although this in no way does detracts from the overall appearance. Mounted vertically on a custom wood and metal base.

Inquire About This Item