Ennanga

Culture Ganda

19th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 681

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.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Ennanga
Culture: Ganda
Date: 19th century
Geography: Uganda
Culture: Ganda people
Medium: Wood, vegetal fiber, snake skin, hide
Dimensions: Height: 29 15/16 in. (76 cm)
Width: 8 1/4 in. (21 cm)
Classification: Chordophone-Harp
Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
Object Number: 89.4.926
Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

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Embuutu, Ganda, Wood, hide, Uganda — Embuutu
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Kora, Mamadou Kouyaté (d. 1991) (bridge by Djimo Kouyaté) Mandinka people, Gourd, goat skin, antelope-hide, ebony, metal, wood, Mandinka people, Senegambia — Kora
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