Chokwe Lamellophone

Chokwe thumb pianos, such as this old and lovingly decorated example, are typically rectangular and lack an integral sound box. Being devoted cultivators of bottle gourds, the Chokwe eschewed carved resonators in favor of playing their instruments on top of, or with, a calabash. Among the advantages a calabash provides is the ease with which they can be cut and hollowed out, their light weight and portability. On the other hand they are easily broken and take up valuable space in Western-style luggage; hence, they were often left behind by travelers. $400

9″

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