Pluriarc

This kind of instrument is frequently seen in the areas south of the Sahara desert in Africa. There are wooden sticks as a bow which are used to stretch the strings which are fastened at the board of the body. These strings are not parallel with the top surface of the instrument. The French name ot this instrument ‘Pluriarc’ (= several arches) describes them so well. On the instrument on the left strings are streched up through the bottom part of the instrument from the holes which are at the back of the stick created by carving the top part of the instrument. At the Lukonde (orlukombe) originating from Congo, the instrument on the right side, strings are attached to the holes which are directly on the top part of the instrument. A metallic pen or a piece of wooden stick is used to stabilise the strings. There is also a voice hole under its handle on the instrument (left instrument), but the back part of the instrument on the right side is completely open. The instrument in the mid is a four strings instrument and made from one piece of wood and its surfacce is varnished. This instrument originates from Namibia and is called ‘Otjihumba’ (Ochihumba, Chihumba) there.