Ngoni

This is an half-spike lute in which the neck does not extend all the way through the body of the instrument, but stops inside the resonator. The long, waisted canoe-shaped resonator body is carved from a single block of wood and is covered with animal skin, laced with hide in the back. The cylindrical neck pierces the top of the soundtable and terminates at the soundhole in a triple spiked-fork shape, where the strings are tied. There are three strings of vegetable fibers attached to the neck with adjustable leather hoops/strips. The bridge is made with a small piece of wooden dowel covered with a piece of hide. There is a small strap of hide attached to the lacing on the back.