Ngoni: Burkina faso musical instrument

The ngoni is a stringed musical instrument that originated from West Africa. The body of the instrument is made of wood or calabash with dried animal skin head stretched over the instrument. The ngoni that can produce fast tunes seem to be closely related to the ‘akonting’ and the ‘xalam’. This is called a ‘jeli ngoni’ as it is played by griots at their ceremonies and special occasions in traditional song known as ‘fasas’ in Mandingo. Another larger type of ngoni that is believed to have its origin among the ‘donso’, a hunter and storyteller caste of the Wasulu people is known as the’ donso ngoni’. This is to a big extent reserved for ceremonial reasons. The donso ngoni that is also known as the ‘hunter harp’ has about six strings. It usually accompanies singing along with the karagnan, toothed metal tube like scrape with metal stick. The smaller ngoni that is called ‘kamale ngoni’ has made its entrance into popular musical patterns such as Wassoulou music. 

source: jeremycloake.com

The ngoni is opined to have existed since the year 1352 when Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan explorer reported seeing one in the court of Mansa Musa. It is also believed to have originated from the banjo in the northern part of America after Mande slaves were sold there. The kamala ngoni was invented by the musician called Alata Brulave in the 1960s. it much smaller that and is tuned a fourth higher than the traditional ngoni that is usually produced of the calabash instead of wood and has eight, ten or twelve strings. This instrument became appealing to the general public of Wassoulou region and donated to the rise of Wassoulou music in the year 1980s and 90s.