Improving African Futures Using Lessons from the Past

Members of Gbaŋmbԑ Katoo, Sanwa, 1986


Description:
Members of Gbaŋmbɛ Katoo demonstrate the use of a (partially constructed) balo or xylophone (sinyeele in Nafaanra). The instrument is played at special funerals, including those of the paramount chief. A calabash with a small hole lies beneath the instrument. Together with other calabashes of graded size (small to large), it serves as the instrument's resonating chamber when fully assembled. By striking the sinyeele's wooden keys with a mallet, a range of musical notes are produced by the differently sized calabashes. Nyua Kwadwo (male family head) holds the mallets he uses to play the sinyeele. On each wrist he wears an iron bangle or bracelet with metal jangles. To the left, a family member plays a drum made from a clay pot. Sanwa, 6 August, 1986.
Rights:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
Publisher:
University of Victoria Libraries
Relation:
https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-17506 ; https://exhibits.library.uvic.ca/spotlight/iaff/catalog/17-16696
Location(s) Facet:
Sanwa
Subjects:
Family history; Gbaŋmbɛ [Gbangmbe] Katoo
Subjects Facet:
Drums (musical instrument); Music; Balo; Bangles; Funeral customs and rites; Oral history; Gourd, Calabash; Pottery; Xylophone
Creator:
Ann B. Stahl
Contributors:
Dr. Ann B. Stahl; James Anane
Date searchable:
1986
Date searchable:
1986-08-06
Genre:
35 mm slide
Genre Facet:
35 mm slide
Format:
Image
Location(s):
Sanwa;8.142199, -2.372039
Date Digitized:
2016
People Facet:
Ann B. Stahl
Commentary:
Slide scanned by Veronique Plante
Geographic Coordinates:
8.142199, -2.372039