Classification chordophone | ||
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Hornbostel–Sachs classification 321.311(spike bowed lute) | ||
Man playing a masenqo in ethiopia
The mesenqo (also spelled mesenko, mesenqo, mesenko, mesinko, or mesinqo) is a single-stringed bowed lute commonly found in the musical traditions of Ethiopia and Eritrea. As with the krar, this instrument is used by Ethiopian minstrels called azmaris ("singer" in Amharic) . Although it functions in a purely accompaniment capacity in songs, the masenqo requires considerable virtuosity, as azmaris accompany themselves while singing.
Contents
- Man playing a masenqo in ethiopia
- The funnies ethiopian masinko player 2pac of ethiopia
- Construction and design
- References
The funnies ethiopian masinko player 2pac of ethiopia
Construction and design
The square- or diamond-shaped resonator is made of four small wooden boards glued together, then covered with a stretched parchment or rawhide. The single string is typically made of horse hair, and passes over a bridge. The instrument is tuned by means of a large tuning peg to fit the range of the singer's voice. It may be bowed by either the right or left hand, and the non-bow hand sits lightly on top of the upper part of the string.
