Angola
Chokwe

Wood and calabash
Mid 20th Century
Length: 9 in, Width: 5 in, Depth: 2 in
Idiophone – Lamellophones – Plucked

The Chokwe sanza, generally called ‘kisanji’ (‘cisanji or kissange), are very old and unique to the Chokwe people.  This Chokwe kisanji kakolo ndondo (simple keyboard) is decorated with the features of the pwo mask (or possibly the Lwena female ancestor, ‘Pwevo’).  The pwo mask referred to an adult woman who had given birth.  The mask is usually danced by men primarily for entertainment.  It is also said to bestow increased fertility on the spectators. 

The pwo mask design on this kisanji consists of articulated facial features of horizontal semi-circular arched brows over the eyes extending from the nose to the sides of the face.  The forehead and checks show geometric scarification marks, which may duplicate those of the actual woman whose beauty inspired the carver. The lips are pooched and open, as if speaking or singing.  There are seven metal tines (keys) and at the bottom is a metal rod attached with pieces of wrapped tin called ‘mayuku,’ that adds a buzzing sound when the tines are plucked/played.  It would be played over a gourd resonator, when used by a professional musicians.