Ngombi vibes : traditional harp music of Gabon

Bokayé! This 8-string harp from Gabon is called Ngombi and belongs to the ancient family of arched harps that can be seen in the pictographic rock art at the Ennedi Plateau in Chad and the Tassili n'Ajjer cave paintings in Algeria, as well as in Egyptian frescoes. This particular harp is made from a central-African variety of mahogany, with gazelle skin stretched over the resonator body. Originally the strings were made from a type of plant fiber, recently replaced with fishing string for durability. Though harps of similar shape and form are found all across central Africa today, the music of the Gabonese Ngombi is distinctly unique, characterised by 2 simultaneous interlocked rhythms of different time signatures played at a high speed. This music is classical to Bwiti and Mbiri - disappearing but vibrant spiritual traditions practiced by people of the rainforest in Gabon.

Category : Gabon Music Videos

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