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 artefacts 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 Ngoni is a tetracorde (4) instrument from Guinea west-Africa. it can also be found with three strings only.
Ngoni is the Malinke general term that can also apply to other string like instruments of the same family.
The instrument is known to be very old, possibly older than the Balafon and the Kora and can be found all over West Africa under different names, depending of the ethnic group and language of the people playing it.
Initially covered with snake skin, It is now composed of a wooden pole with a goatskin covered wooden resonance chamber in a pirogue form.
Nylon strings are individually attached to the pole by means of leather rings.
A resonator is sometimes attached at the end of the wooden pole.
The strings are tuned by moving the rings up and down the pole.
A single string version of this instrument is called "Molaru". Though nylon strings are used nowadays, it used to be animal hairs (most likely horsehair).
The instrument is traditionally played in a seated position, using the leg as support , but more recently played standing.
It is one of the most symbolic instrument for Griots.
