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Tsii' Edo' Ai (Apache fiddle)

Athabascan Family Native American (Apache)
ca. 1900
Not on view
The Apache name for this two-stringed bowed zither means "wood that sings." Held against the chest or stomach and bowed like European fiddles, it is used for personal enjoyment or to entertain at home with songs and dances. The hollowed agave stalk body is decorated with traditional designs, and the strings attached to the ends of the tube are of horsehair. As it is the only Native-American bowed instrument, it remains unclear as to whether it is indigenous or of European derivation.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Tsii' Edo' Ai (Apache fiddle)
  • Maker: Athabascan Family
  • Date: ca. 1900
  • Geography: Arizona, United States
  • Culture: Native American (Apache)
  • Medium: Agave flower stalk, wood, paint, horsehair
  • Dimensions: a) Body: L. 45.6 x Diam. 5.7 - 9.1 cm (17 15//16 x 2 1/4 - 3 9/16 in.); Peg L. 5.7 cm (2 1/4)
    b) Bow: L. 53.5 x W. 7.9 cm ( 21 1/16 x 3 1/8 in.)
  • Classification: Chordophone-Zither-bowed
  • Credit Line: The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889
  • Object Number: 89.4.2631a, b
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

More Artwork

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Tsii' Edo' Ai (Apache Fiddle), Geronimo (Goyaalé) American Indian, Apache, Wood, metal, gut, polychrome, Native American (Apache, Chiricahua )
Tsii' Edo' Ai (Apache Fiddle)
Geronimo (Goyaalé)
ca. 1893
Tsii' Edo' Ai (Apache Fiddle), Amos Gustina (1858-1945) Western Apache, Agave flower stalk, sinew, horsehair, pitch, sinew, Native American (Western Apache)
Tsii' Edo' Ai (Apache Fiddle)
Amos Gustina (1858-1945)
ca. 1900
Flute, Telfos, cane, Native American (Papago or Navajo)
Flute
Telfos
19th century
Truh-kun-pi, Hopi Indians, Bone, gourd, wood, Native American (Hopi)
Truh-kun-pi
Hopi Indians
19th century
Drum, Hopi Tribe; Shoshonean family, wood, skin, Native American (Northeastern Arizona)
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Hopi Tribe; Shoshonean family
1850–1900

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