Ekyeshansha

This strange and rather unmusical instrument is a plain J shaped bow of round section. The long arm of the J is held onto the left shoulder and the base of the bow stands on a resonator; a petrol tin, held there by the left hand. There are 3 strings two across the lower end of the bow which are plucked by the left thumb. The third (plucked with a stick plectrum) is stretched across the bow from the lower tip to near the upper hip. It is stoped by the player's chin, in one, two or three positions. A very simple accompaniment only is possible. The tuning of these strings was as follows; 364, 292, 198. 1. 364 vs. the shortest strng across the head of the bow. 2. 292 is the second string above it. 3. 198 is the stopped string. 1 is played by plucking with the left thumb. 2 is played by both the left thumb and by the plectrum in the right hand. 3 is played by the plectrum only. The song recalls the fighting with a certain tribe to the south which is now part of Tanganyika territory, and praises the old army. In this part of Africa and especially around the great lakes several reciters of legend use relatively unmusical instruments with which to provide a thrumming background to their declamations. Historic recitation with musical bow of three strings. Ekiningo