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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 left side of the box has a wooden panel (probably cut to allow the carving of the soundbox). The box has two round soundholes, on the bottom and back. It has seven lamellas made of iron alloy (one missing?), of which five have small 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 cord. The backrest is made of a wooden dowel and has a thick strip of skin, plus small bits of wood for tightening purposes. There is a small cord strap on top.

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