Stringed Musical Instrument Item Number: Aj100 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A harp-like musical instrument that has a rectangular body covered with brown and white fur skin with an oval slit opening near one corner and a rounded bottom. Five strings are strung from the body to a tuning peg on the curved neck-handle.
History Of Use
Adeudeu harps (arched harps) are played solo or as a part of an ensemble to accompany storytelling, epics, and lyrical songs. Players of adeudeu historically held high status as they were considered the bearers of oral history and traditions, and would be included in royal retinues. This adeudeu follows a pentatonic scale, based on its five strings. The number of tuning pegs corresponds to the number of strings, and often informs the type of tuning for the instrument.
Cultural Context
Tourist object.
Narrative
Similar to a Democratic Republic of Congo type of instrument.
Item History
- Made in Kenya ? before 1965
- Owned by Anne Skelton before September 25, 1975
- Received from Anne Skelton (Donor) on September 25, 1975
What
- Name
- Stringed Musical Instrument
- Identification Number
- Aj100
- Type of Item
- musical instrument
- Material
- wood, skin and fibre
- Overall
- height 42.5 cm, width 11.7 cm, depth 15.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- East African
- Previous Owner
- Anne Skelton
- Received from
- Anne Skelton (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Kenya ?
When
- Creation Date
- before 1965
- Ownership Date
- before September 25, 1975
- Acquisition Date
- on September 25, 1975
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0290/0004