instrument gallery logo
Inanga

The inanga is a trough zither from Burundi and surrounding regions. It is made from a piece of wood carved with a shallow bowl and decorated with small star and slits the pierce the bowl completely. On either end notches are carved. A single fibre or gut string is then woven back and forth across the instrument to form up to eight strings. Usually the instrument is approximately a metre (yard) in length and is either held on its side on the groud or in the player’s lap and is plucked by both hands. It is a very quiet instrument and it is often used to accompany singing is a whispered voice,.

Country: Burundi
Region: Africa
Type: zither

Inanga - trough zither of Burundi
Inanga
©  R. Raine-Reusch, May 2002