Explore

Showing results

Hide images

Sanza

This instrument was collected in the field by Percy Horace Gordon and Hannah Powell-Cotton. It is a lamellaphone, natively known as "sansi," made of a wooden box carved out of a single piece of wood. The sides of the box have wooden panels (probably cut to allow the carving of the soundbox) joined with dark beeswax. The box has two round soundholes, on the bottom and back. It has eight lamellas made of iron alloy, each with two small brass(?) rings/jingles for rattling effect. The pressure bar and the bridge are also made of iron alloy, and the former is attached to the box with rattan. The backrest is made of wood and has a thick strip of haired skin.

  • Measurements:Length (with lamellas): 218mm; Width: 115mm; Depth (at lamellas): 42mm