Traditional instruments and their construction

In Acholi culture, traditional musical instruments play a crucial role in both everyday life and ceremonial contexts, contributing to the community’s musical expression and cultural identity. These instruments are typically handcrafted using locally available materials, and their construction is often imbued with cultural significance and artisanal skill. Here are some key traditional instruments used by the Acholi people and details about their construction:

1. Adungu (Bow Harp)

• Description: The adungu is a traditional bow harp that varies in size from small to large versions. It usually has a varying number of strings, which can range from five to ten.
• Construction: The body is made from a hollow wooden soundbox, often covered with cowhide or goat skin which acts as the resonator. The frame is typically crafted from wood, with strings made from nylon or, traditionally, from plant fibers or animal tendons.
• Usage: It is used in various settings, from ritual music to contemporary Acholi music, often accompanying singers or being played in ensembles.

2. Nanga (Zither)

• Description: The nanga is a type of lyre with a flat, oval-shaped body and typically has five to eight strings.
• Construction: The body is made from wood and covered with a tightly stretched animal skin. The strings, historically made from animal hide, are now often replaced with more durable synthetic materials.
• Usage: It’s primarily used in traditional songs and storytelling, providing a melodic accompaniment that enhances the narrative and emotional expression.

3. Bul (Drum)

• Description: This is a large drum used commonly in Acholi musical traditions.
• Construction: The drum is made from a hollowed-out tree trunk for the body and covered on one or both ends with animal skins, usually goat or cow, which are held tight by ropes or wooden pegs.
• Usage: The bul drum is central in many dances and ceremonies, used to maintain rhythm and pace, and to communicate different phases of the event.

4. Oporo (Horn)

• Description: The oporo is a horn typically made from animal horns, particularly those of large animals like cattle.
• Construction: The tip of the horn is removed, and a hole is fashioned at the tip to create a mouthpiece. The horn’s natural shape provides the resonating chamber.
• Usage: It is often used to signal the beginning of ceremonies or gatherings and in performances to add a distinctive sound that complements drums and other instruments.

5. Endingidi (Tube Fiddle)

• Description: The endingidi is a single-string fiddle that produces a distinct, resonant sound.
• Construction: It consists of a long wooden tube or rod, with a string stretched along its length, anchored at both ends, and a cylindrical resonator made from an animal skin stretched over one end of the tube.
• Usage: Played with a bow often made from horsehair or synthetic materials, the endingidi is used for both solo performances and ensemble pieces, versatile in both rhythmic and melodic roles.

6. Larakaraka (Metallophone)

• Description: This instrument consists of metallic pieces that are struck to produce sound, similar to a xylophone.
• Construction: Metal bars or keys are mounted on a wooden frame and are played by striking with mallets. The keys are arranged in a scale, and their lengths and thicknesses vary to produce different pitches.
• Usage: Used in dance music and celebratory events, it provides a bright, metallic texture to the ensemble sound.

The construction of these instruments not only requires technical skill but also a deep understanding of the materials and their acoustic properties. These instruments are more than just tools for making music; they are carriers of culture, history, and community identity, each with its own story and significance in Acholi cultural life.