Ennanga

Ganda

19th century · Wood, vegetal fiber, snake skin, hide · Musical Instruments

Unlike the triangular European harp, the arched harp known as an ennanga consists of two elements: a soundbox and the curved neck that rises from it. Strings made of gut or plant fiber rise diagonally from the sound table. Each string touches a reptile-skin ring beneath its tuning peg, causing a buzzing sound.

Artist

Ganda

Date

19th century

Medium

Wood, vegetal fiber, snake skin, hide

Culture

Ganda people

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889