Masenqo: Eritrea musical instrument

The masenqo is a single-stringed bowed lute that is seen in the musical traditions of Eritrea and Ethiopia. Just like the krar, this musical instrument is used by the Ethiopian minstrels that are known as the azmaris. Though it works in a purely accompaniment capacity, in songs, the musical instrument need considerable virtuosity as the azmaris accompany themselves while singing.

source: metmuseum.org

The square-shaped or diamond-shaped resonator of the musical instrument is produced of four small wooden boards that are gummed together, and then covered with an outspread parchment or rawhide. The single string of the musical instrument is typically produce of the hair of a horse, and passes over a bridge. The masenqo is tuned by means of a large tuning peg to fit the range of the voice of the singer. The musical instrument may be bowed by either the left hand or the right hand of the player, and non-bow hand site lightly on top of the upper part of the instrument’s string.