All musical instruments are authentic pieces imported directly from west Africa
(Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone.). The craftsmen who create them are descended from families who have produced the same artifacts from generations. They have mastered the techniques of selecting materials and building instruments through the years. Hear for yourself the unique sound that first echoed through Africa and now the world
The Gongoma is a thumb Piano from Guinea - West Africa, composed of half a calabash (gourd). The calabash is hollowed and a piece of light wood is assembled on top.
It has between 3 to 6 saw blades cut to different lengths.
The tuning can be made by pushing the blades towards or away from the opening
Usually held around the neck with a strap, the instrument is played by tapping the bottom with one hand, while the other hand plays patterns from the blades. Other thumb pianos are found throughout Africa, generally all wooden made, and of a much smaller size, because of a different origin.
The Guinean version Gongoma is a fairly recent instrument that emerged from some of the pioneer musicians in Conakry, who got inspired by another similar instrument played down south in Sierra Leone.
Various decorations representing villages are painted on the back of all our instruments.
