Valiha

Heterochord tube zither made of bamboo (Valiha diffusa S.Dransf.). Two steel sheet rings are pinned to the nodes of the bamboo tube, which serve to anchor the steel strings (16). These metal rings are covered by another ring of animal hair skin. The resonator section of the tube has four sound holes. Each string has two moveable bridges made of gourd. Malagasy culture symbols are carved in relief on the bamboo's tube surface, including a zebu's head. In the lower section of the tube, a landscape scene reveals a house/cabin, tall grasses, large stem trees (Baobab) and one palm tree.