Masenqo

A late twentieth century single stringed horsehair fiddle and bow of the type known as a Masenqo from Ethiopia. The goat skin covered lozenge shaped soundbox is bisected by a wooden neck and peg and a single horse hair string. It is tuned by means of a large tuning peg at the top of the neck. The instrument is used by Ethiopian minstrels, or azmaris ("singer" in Amharic) and requires considerable virtuosity.