Harman Patil (Editor)

N'vike

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit

The n'vike (alternately novike, n'vique, nobike) is a bowed string instrument native to the indigenous Toba people of the Gran Chaco of South America.

The term n'vike has no equivalent in English, but refers to the act of a jaguar sharpening his claws on a tree.

Form

The novike is a monochord which is bowed with a string bow, called checne'c. Originally, the string (lket) was made from the mane of a peccary, but after the arrival of the Spanish horsehair replaced it.

The monochord is placed atop a resonating body such as a calabaza gourd, an aramadillo shell, or a sheet of tin with an opening in the top.

References

N'vike Wikipedia